| Board of Supervisors |
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| Welcome to Nelson's E-News! |
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Thank you for reading this edition of my newsletter. I hope you find the information below very helpful. As always, I appreciate and look forward to your feedback.
The next board meeting will be Tuesday, January 9, 2018 9:30am in the Hall of Administration – 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana 92701. The agenda may be accessed here.
Please see photos and descriptions below of some of the events our office attended in the community this week. If you were unable to attend, there are other events listed at the end of this newsletter.
Sincerely,
Shawn Nelson |
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| Board Updates |
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| Important Federal Tax Changes Relating to Property Taxes |
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The new federal legislation relating to the deductibility of State and Local Taxes (SALT) greatly scales back how much state and local taxes can be deducted on federal income taxes in 2018. Under the 2017 federal law, the SALT deduction is unlimited. In the new legislation, taxpayers can only deduct up to $10,000, any combination of property, income or sales taxes. As the average secured property tax bill in fiscal year 2017-2018 is approximately $7,100, and California has both an income tax and sales tax, it is likely that many taxpayers would pay more than $10,000 in SALT next year.
Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich is encouraging taxpayers to check with their CPAs or financial advisors to see if paying the second installment of the fiscal year 2017-18 property taxes or any outstanding supplemental property taxes prior to December 31, 2017, makes financial sense. The second installment of secured property taxes is due on February 1 and late after April 10, 2018. Every year, we have many taxpayers that make both installment payments prior to the end of the calendar year.
If you choose to pay the second installment or supplemental taxes early, please consider paying using our online electronic window at ocgov.com/octaxbill.
Taxpayers can make payments:
- Online by eCheck (no service fee) or credit or debit cards (service fee applies) for same-day credit up to midnight on December 31, 2017, by going to ocgov.com/octaxbill and receive a detailed receipt (printed or by email).
- By Mail: Use the remittance stub included with the tax bill and mail to County of Orange, Attn. Treasurer-Tax Collector, P.O. Box 1438, Santa Ana, CA 92702-1438.
- By Telephone (credit card - service fee applies): Call 714-834-3411.
- In Person: At our office at 625 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana (access off Broadway and park at Old Courthouse Lot P5 or Lot P8). See map at http://www.ttc.ocgov.com/howdoi/contact/directions.
Our office has received a number of inquiries from taxpayers asking if they can prepay property taxes for fiscal year 2018-19. We are not able to accept any payments for property taxes that have not yet been billed and, at this time, can only accept payments for the second installment of property taxes or any supplemental property taxes already billed. We also do not accept partial payments of property tax bills.
Check out our online statement to make sure that you don’t have any outstanding property taxes that can also be paid by December 31, 2017, at ocgov.com/octaxbill. Taxpayers can also view and print their 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 property tax bills and view the last two years of payment detail. In addition, taxpayers can also go to ocgov.com/octaxreminder and sign up to receive a payment reminder by text (NEW) or by email approximately 10 days and one day before each installment’s last timely payment date. Please also tell a friend to also sign up for this free tax reminder service! |
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| OC Waste Reminder |
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| ’Tis the Season to Tree-cycle |
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Each year about 25 – 30 million real Christmas trees are sold across the U.S. during the holiday season. As important as these trees are to our holiday traditions, they play an even bigger role once the festivities are over. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource.
Most trees can be chipped and turned into mulch if the right steps are taken during the first weeks after the holidays. Christmas “tree-cycling” requirements are different for each city and hauler—including when the pick-up begins and how long it’s available
Here are some tips to ensure your tree is repurposed the best way possible in your area:
- Check ahead with your hauler to find out their schedule for picking up Christmas trees. Missing the last pick-up day means finding another alternative. It is often done on the same as the weekly curbside trash pick-up. You can find OC waste hauler information here.
- Find out any special requirements from your waste hauler. Sometimes taller trees must be cut in half before pick-up or even cut into pieces and placed in the greenwaste bin.
- Only the tree is recyclable. Remove all decorations, including lights, tinsel, garland, tree stands and ornaments.
- Flocked trees cannot be recycled. They may be cut down and placed in your regular trash bin.
- If you miss the tree recycling dates of your hauler, check with your city Recycling Coordinator for other options.
- If you have Christmas lights or other e-waste to dispose of after the holidays, take it to one of Orange County’s four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find locations and other information here.
More information is available at oclandfills.com or 714-834-4000. |
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| OCTA |
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OCTA Offers Free Bus rides on New Year’s Eve
Safe rides provided for past 16 years to revelers ringing in the New Year |
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The Orange County Transportation Authority is providing safe rides for those ringing in 2018 with free rides on OC Buses from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve (Sunday, Dec. 31) to 2:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.
Riding an OC Bus is a safe and easy way to get to popular destinations around Orange County, including bus routes that operate near Downtown Fullerton, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and more.
Late-night service routes vary, so those who are planning to ride the bus are encouraged to plan their trip ahead of time by visiting OCbus.com or by calling 714-636-7433.
Last year, more than 4,700 riders took advantage of the free bus service on New Year’s Eve and more than 140,000 have used it since it began in 2002.
For more information, visit OCbus.com. |
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OC Streetcar Rolls On with Invitation for Construction Bids
Invitation for pre-qualified firms to submit bids to build the OC Streetcar system in Santa Ana and Garden Grove moves project closer to breaking ground next year |
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Plans for Orange County’s first modern streetcar took another major step forward this month when the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors approved the release of an invitation for bids to build the OC Streetcar.
The invitation for bids from contractors marks a significant milestone for the project as it begins the process to select a qualified contractor to build the 4.1-mile streetcar that will run through the heart of Orange County, in Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
A pre-qualification process is already underway to ensure a strong pool of potential contractors with specialized skills required to build a streetcar system. Bids are due in March 2018, and the OCTA board is expected to award the construction contract in April.
The project is estimated to cost $299 million, with funding coming from Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, and a mix of state and federal funding.
The largest funding source is expected to come from federal dollars – $50 million was included in the President’s 2017 budget, and OCTA has been working closely throughout planning and design with the Federal Transit Administration, which is considering a Full Funding Grant Agreement to pay for about half of the project’s cost.
The OC Streetcar will operate from the busy Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, along Santa Ana Boulevard and Fourth Street and along the Pacific Electric right-of-way to Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove.
The route will serve Santa Ana’s thriving downtown and dense employment areas that include county and local government offices and courthouses in the Civic Center. The OC Streetcar route will also connect with many of OCTA’s busiest bus routes and Metrolink commuter rail. It is expected to carry more than 7,000 passengers per day within its first year of operation.
Up to six streetcars at a time are planned to run along the route, stopping every 10 minutes during peak hours at 10 stations in each direction. Two streetcars will serve as spare vehicles.
Construction on the OC Streetcar is set to begin in fall 2018 with operations beginning in late 2020.
For information on the project, visit www.OCstreetcar.com. |
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| In the Community |
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| Placentia Mayor Green Receives Honors for 2017 Service: |
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Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson was honored to recognize Craig Green for the incredible accomplishments, public administration partnerships, collaborative management with City and County Staff and his countless hours of professional and family commitment to better the City of Placentia as 2017 Mayor.
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak delivered what may be the longest proclamation in the 8 years of the Supervisor Nelson’s service to Mayor Green at change-of-command recognitions held at city hall last week.
In the 7 minute presentation to the Mayor, Spernak told the audience how Mayor Green brought his years of financial management and Navy organizational experience to bear on some of the largest challenges in city and County history.
Spernak explained that Green was instrumental in packaging the Metrolink Station proposals, Transit Development of the Packing House District, Old Town Placentia Revitalization Plan and helping Mercy House develop the Placentia Veterans Village apartments.
Green delivered the needed leadership and oversight on the new banking and bank services contract while balancing the city budget, improving the police department infrastructure and his tireless work with the OC District Attorney’s Office to recover almost 90% of the 5 million dollars embezzled last year.
Mayor Green has also been the spirit behind the St. Judge Healthy Initiative Grant with St. Judes Hospital and helped secure $534, 000 for the Police Department through the North OC Public Safety Taskforce. |
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Supervisor Nelson and Craig Green |
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| Teddy Bears for Camp Pendleton Kids |
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Supervisor Nelson partnered with Santa Claus and the directors and donors of the Anaheim 13th MEU Adoption Committee to deliver 50 Teddy Bears as part of the 2017 Christmas Party hosted at Camp Pendleton last week.
2017 was the 5th year Supervisor Nelson’s office teamed with the volunteers who support the Marines of the 13th MEU stationed at Camp Pendleton.
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak joined with Wendell and Carolyn Walters to rally donors and get to a new record of 50 Teddy Bears that they took to Pendleton. Special thanks to Anaheim City Councilman Steve Faessel, Ashleigh Aitken and former Assemblywoman Young Kim for their donations to purchase the bears for kids of Marines this Christmas.
The Christmas dinner and gift exchange went like magic with a full spread of catered food, toys and raffle gifts, handing out grand prizes and prepping an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Remaining toys were taken to kids and families of the 13the MEU Combat Logistics Battalion Christmas Party along with toys taken to children at the Naval Hospital on base.
The Committee also hosted a traditional Christmas dinner at the Single Marine Program Center and invited all Single Marines and Sailors on base that wished to attend. Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to give every Marine a special gift. After dinner all the extra food was delivered to a Women’s shelter in Oceanside where it was very much appreciated.
If you would like to donate or be part of the support projects serving the Marines year-round, please contact Chairman Carolyn Walters at Caretw777@gmail.com or Steve.Spernak@ocgov.com in the office of OC Supervisor Shawn Nelson.
Merry Christmas and blessings to the 13th MEU committee for all their work, fundraising, toy rallies and party planning to make Christmas 2017 so magical! |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak delivers Teddy Bears to 13th MEU Director Wendell Walters.
Christmas 2017 at Camp Pendleton was the largest toy delivery yet.
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| Marty Simonoff Magic at Brea Seniors Christmas |
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Congratulations to Councilman Marty Simonoff and the City of Brea Mayors and Councilmembers who delivered another Christmas Classic at the Brea Seniors Center to celebrate the seasons and ready for new years 2018.
The Christmas project is one of the best in Orange County and the year-long planning and grand performance of Marty Simonoff who makes sure all the seniors in the city are invited and leave with a gift as well as fantastic memories of fun and friends.
This year Simonoff was proud to announce that his friends, donors, city associates and city employees donated some $5,000 to the gala. Everyone went home with $25 cash when Santa started working the room with personal handshakes and hugs to go with the folded cash surprises.
Biggest surprise of all was when Simonoff introduced Dwight Manly and announced that Dwight was donating $25,000 to the Senior Center for programs, birthdays, events and support for the seniors and the center. The gesture got a roaring applause and Marty couldn’t keep from crying with the gesture that helped finance the Brea seniors who are so close to his heart.
Policy Advisor finished the luncheon using up 16 cans of whip cream where he is legendary for putting mountains of whip cream on the apple pie desserts and fingers of the seniors holding the plates.
Sincere best wishes and blessings on Marty Simonoff, the Brea Seniors Staff, City Council and Staff and Dwight Manly who were so generous and amazing with their time and treasures to help the Seniors of Brea enjoy another cherished Christmas memory in the City. |
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Marty Simonoff |
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| La Habra Police Legend Retires |
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Supervisor Nelson was proud to present La Habra Police Lieutenant Mel Ruiz with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 30 years of police service at retirement ceremonies this week in La Habra.
Hosted at the Community Center, over 50 Officers, Commanders and department staff stopped in to hear the exploits and accomplishments for Ruiz’s career that began as an Explorer in 1983.
After enjoying the work and professional experiences working at the department, Ruiz put himself thru the Fullerton College Reserve Academy and ultimately, with his graduation from the Golden West Police Academy, he was hired full-time at La Habra.
Ruiz worked Patrol, Gangs, SRO, Narcotics and helped supervise the Reserves program. That work lead to his promotions to Investigations and ultimately his taking on the duties of a Police Lieutenant where he worked with the Reserves, National Night Out, ISE Administration and the civic festivals with the Lions Club and Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors.
Though formally retired, Ruiz will return to work as a Reserve Police Officer and continue to serve the people of La Habra on the streets where he began his legendary career 30 years ago.
Congratulations and sincere thanks and appreciation Lt. Ruiz !! |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak presented Lt. Ruiz with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Supervisor Nelson |
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| Supervisor Delivers Christmas to VFW Buena Park |
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Congratulations to the VFW Post and its Commander, John Muller, for pulling together another epic end of the year effort to secure toys and turkeys that go out to the community every Christmas.
Hosted at the Knights of Columbus clubhouse, Muller was joined last week by Policy Advisor Steve Spernak who delivered hundreds of pounds of fresh-frozen turkeys to the freezers at the center.
Within 100 hours, Muller advised the turkeys are cleaned, cut and cooked in readiness for the hundreds of hungry and homeless who make up the neighborhood off Orangethorpe near Beach Blvd.
The Christmas challenge is one of a year-long list of events, programs, projects, scholarship fundraisers and civic outreach efforts the Walter Ehlers VFW of Buena Park deliver annually.
Spernak finished the food-drop and delivered Supervisor Nelson’s best wishes and blessing on John Muller, his VFW members and all the donors, sponsors and volunteers who made Christmas 2017 so special with hugs and handshakes before leaving the community center. |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak delivered turkeys to John Muller for Christmas 2017. |
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| County Commissions and Committees |
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The Fourth District has vacant appointments on the following commissions or committees:
- Assessment Appeals Board No.1
- Orange County Visitors Association
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please call Audra Fishel at (714) 834-3440. |
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| Pet of the Week |
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Click on the image above to view a larger version. |
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| Events |
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City of Anaheim Events
What: Ribbon Cutting-Simons Accountancy
When: January 8
Where: Simons Accountancy, 180 N Riverview Suite 360, Anaheim
Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm
What: Government Affairs Committee Meeting
When: January 19
Where: Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, 2099 S State College Blvd Suite 650, Anaheim
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
City of Brea Events
What: Lead$ Lunch
When: January 3
Where: Embassy Suites, 900 E Birch St, Brea
Time: 11:45am-1:15pm
What: Kiwanis Club of Brea
When: January 4
Where: Embassy Suites, 900 E Birch St, Brea
Time: 7:15am-8:30am
City of Buena Park Events
What: Cultural Excursion: Tournament of the Roses Parade
When: January 1
Where: Buena Park Community Center, 6688 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
Time: 6:30am-1:30am
What: City Council Meeting
When: January 9
Where: Buena Park City Hall, 6688 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
Time: 5:00pm
City of Fullerton Events
What: Red Cross Blood Drive Kimberly Clark
When: January 4
Where: Kimberly Clark Training Room, 2011 Orangethorpe, Fullerton
Time: 6:00am-6:00pm
What: Downtown Fullerton Artwalk
When: January 5
Where: Downtown Fullerton
Time: 6:00pm-10:00pm
City of La Habra Events
What: ConnectUp at Corner Bakery
When: January 4
Where: Corner Bakery, 1040 W Imperial Hwy, La Habra
Time: 8:00am-9:00am
What: Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee
When: January 11
Where: La Habra Area Chamber of Commerce, 321 E La Habra Blvd, La Habra
Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm
City of Placentia Events
What: Certified Farmers Market
When: January 2
Where: SW Corner of Yorba Linda & Kraemer Blvds, Placentia
Time: 4:00pm-8:00pm
What: New Year, New You: Weight Loss Education & Support Group
When: January 8
Where: The Learning Center at Placentia Linda Hospital’s Medical Office, 1275 N Rose Dr ste 124, Placentia
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
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For questions or comments regarding Nelson’s E-News
please contact the Supervisor's office staff:
Audra Fishel – Phone: (714) 834-3440, Email: Audra.Fishel@ocgov.com. |
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Denis Bilodeau
Chief of Staff
Mark Lopez
Deputy Chief of Staff
George Cardenas
Policy Advisor
Audra Fishel
Policy Advisor /
Communications Director
Steve Spernak
Policy Advisor
Natalie Wieckert
Policy Advisor
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