Growing Political Appointees and Discretionary Spending within the OC Board of Supervisors 06/10/26

F1

Headcount and discretionary spending over the recent budget years for the Board far exceeds inflation and outpaces the demographic changes that would typically justify increased staffing or budgets.

Related Recommendations (5)

R1

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), zero-based budgeting should be used by the Board to require justification for all Board of Supervisors departmental positions and expenditures. (F1, F2, F4, F5)

R2

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), an audit of municipal service workload in the unincorporated areas should be conducted to determine the appropriate level of Board staffing necessary to support the 4% of County residents still directly governed by the Board. (F1, F2, F3, F5)

R3

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), the Board’s discretionary funds should be eliminated with the funds redirected to County public-facing services such as public safety, infrastructure, and health and human service programs. (F1, F4)

R4

Starting October 31, 2026 (and ongoing), if discretionary funds are retained by the Board, the Board should limit discretionary grants to County-related purposes within its direct service and governance responsibilities and adopt uniform eligibility and reporting standards to ensure transparency and eliminate the appearance of political favoritism. (F1, F2, F4)

R7

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028, the Board should adopt a formal policy that governs their future departmental headcount and the elimination of discretionary spending that meets the above Recommendations. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) -2026 Board of Supervisors – Headcount and Discretionary Spending

F2

The Board’s municipal governance responsibilities have dwindled as the unincorporated population of Orange County shrank yet staffing and expenditures have increased.

Related Recommendations (4)

R1

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), zero-based budgeting should be used by the Board to require justification for all Board of Supervisors departmental positions and expenditures. (F1, F2, F4, F5)

R2

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), an audit of municipal service workload in the unincorporated areas should be conducted to determine the appropriate level of Board staffing necessary to support the 4% of County residents still directly governed by the Board. (F1, F2, F3, F5)

R4

Starting October 31, 2026 (and ongoing), if discretionary funds are retained by the Board, the Board should limit discretionary grants to County-related purposes within its direct service and governance responsibilities and adopt uniform eligibility and reporting standards to ensure transparency and eliminate the appearance of political favoritism. (F1, F2, F4)

R7

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028, the Board should adopt a formal policy that governs their future departmental headcount and the elimination of discretionary spending that meets the above Recommendations. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) -2026 Board of Supervisors – Headcount and Discretionary Spending

F3

Staffing expansions within Board offices are not tied to demonstrable needs.

Related Recommendations (2)

R2

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), an audit of municipal service workload in the unincorporated areas should be conducted to determine the appropriate level of Board staffing necessary to support the 4% of County residents still directly governed by the Board. (F1, F2, F3, F5)

R7

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028, the Board should adopt a formal policy that governs their future departmental headcount and the elimination of discretionary spending that meets the above Recommendations. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) -2026 Board of Supervisors – Headcount and Discretionary Spending

F4

The expansion of district-level discretionary spending, including grants to individuals and organizations located within incorporated cities, extends the Board’s influence into areas that fall under municipal responsibilities, not the County’s direct jurisdictional responsibilities.

Related Recommendations (4)

R1

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), zero-based budgeting should be used by the Board to require justification for all Board of Supervisors departmental positions and expenditures. (F1, F2, F4, F5)

R3

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), the Board’s discretionary funds should be eliminated with the funds redirected to County public-facing services such as public safety, infrastructure, and health and human service programs. (F1, F4)

R4

Starting October 31, 2026 (and ongoing), if discretionary funds are retained by the Board, the Board should limit discretionary grants to County-related purposes within its direct service and governance responsibilities and adopt uniform eligibility and reporting standards to ensure transparency and eliminate the appearance of political favoritism. (F1, F2, F4)

R7

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028, the Board should adopt a formal policy that governs their future departmental headcount and the elimination of discretionary spending that meets the above Recommendations. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) -2026 Board of Supervisors – Headcount and Discretionary Spending

F5

The significant growth in Board office staffing has led to the appearance of an administrative structure that parallels work already performed by the County Executive Office and department heads.

Related Recommendations (5)

R1

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), zero-based budgeting should be used by the Board to require justification for all Board of Supervisors departmental positions and expenditures. (F1, F2, F4, F5)

R2

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 (and ongoing), an audit of municipal service workload in the unincorporated areas should be conducted to determine the appropriate level of Board staffing necessary to support the 4% of County residents still directly governed by the Board. (F1, F2, F3, F5)

R5

Starting October 31, 2026 (and ongoing), staffing levels within Board offices should be reviewed for redundancy relative to the County Executive Office and department-level subject-matter expertise. Positions that duplicate existing County functions should be eliminated. (F5)

R6

Starting October 31, 2026, the Board should realign their engagement with the County Executive Team and department heads on policy matters to enhance collaboration. (F5, F6)

R7

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028, the Board should adopt a formal policy that governs their future departmental headcount and the elimination of discretionary spending that meets the above Recommendations. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) -2026 Board of Supervisors – Headcount and Discretionary Spending

F6

The widening distance between Supervisors and the Executive Team undermines the value of the County Executive Team and complicates coordination, slows policy implementation, and contributes to fragmented decision-making. of 23 Board of Supervisors – Headcount & Discretionary Spending

Related Recommendations (2)

R6

Starting October 31, 2026, the Board should realign their engagement with the County Executive Team and department heads on policy matters to enhance collaboration. (F5, F6)

R7

Starting with the budget for Fiscal Year 2027-2028, the Board should adopt a formal policy that governs their future departmental headcount and the elimination of discretionary spending that meets the above Recommendations. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) -2026 Board of Supervisors – Headcount and Discretionary Spending

Growing Political Appointees and Discretionary Spending within the OC Board of Supervisors 06/10/26

Findings and Recommendations 6 findings

In the News 3