Since taking office in 2018, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and his top executives have faced a host of lawsuits – with allegations ranging from harassment to botched prosecutions – that have cost taxpayers nearly $18 million.
Spitzer has pushed back on the cases by blaming county counsel or denying the allegations, noting that most of the cases were settled before any legal judgment was made.
Meanwhile, Orange County Supervisors continue grappling with how to best use discretionary funds – money that can be spent with little oversight – after their former colleague Andrew Do was sentenced to five years in prison for a bribery scheme that used such largely unchecked spending.
As cities throughout the county continue grappling with rocky budget projections, Santa Ana is considering asking its voters to extend a sales tax increase while the neighboring City of Orange is looking at such a tax measure to bail out its bleak budget.
Residents in San Clemente have gathered enough signatures for a sales tax increase ballot measure, partially dedicated to help reverse sand loss and save the city’s disappearing iconic coastline as city and county officials grapple with sand replenishment.
San Clemente city officials are also looking to crack down on tee time scalping after some residents say it’s becoming increasingly difficult to book a time at the municipal golf course without having to go through a third-party vendor.
A host of Orange County cities are far behind on the state-mandated housing goals, which push municipalities to zone for a certain number of new homes – especially affordable housing – as Santa Ana’s on track to hit its goals.
Fullerton residents are protesting a proposed 110,000-square foot warehouse in the southeast part of town near the 91 and 57 freeways – with many locals raising concerns about traffic, pollution, and the impact to the city’s already beat up roads.
Spencer Custodio is the civic editor. You can reach him at scustodio@voiceofoc.org. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio.
