Michelle Aguirre, Interim CEO
Orange County, CA
Orange County, CA
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Orange County, Calif. (July 15, 2024) – The County of Orange is pleased to announce S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the County from its AA+ issuer credit rating (ICR) to AAA, representing the highest credit quality and lowest risk of default in the industry. S&P made this announcement today, highlighting the County’s strong budgetary performance during the past two years, a substantial increase in general fund reserves and a very strong local economy.
“The responsible allocation of resources, along with good checks and balances puts the County in a better fiscal standing now and well into the future. We must continue to keep our belts tightened and work hard to keep this rating for years to come,” said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor.
Each year since 2005, a Strategic Financial Plan (SFP) is developed and published to help safeguard the County’s ability to respond to economic changes and unanticipated events and to ensure its resources and programs are aligned with Countywide strategic priorities and values.
“The County has come a long way to improve its financial standing, while also creating innovative programs and improving existing services for our residents. The AAA rating from S&P is a testament to the hard work of our employees and the sound judgement in financial decisions made by Orange County,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor.
To ensure financial transparency with the community, the CEO Budget & Finance Office conducts public workshops held throughout the budget development cycle to encourage feedback as they work on the Strategic Financial Plan and the Recommended Budget. A public feedback form on its website, cfo.ocgov.com, welcomes input at any time from the community and regional stakeholders.
“Over the years, the County has put strong reforms in place and demonstrated our ability to manage taxpayers' money in a responsible fashion. The County is in a much better position fiscally and in turn, better prepared for contingencies as they arise,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District.
S&P cited the County’s very strong management as contributing to the strong budgetary performance and upgrade to AAA.
“The AAA rating demonstrates our continued commitment to responsible fiscal governance that helps our departments continue delivering essential programs, resources and services in an efficient, cost-effective manner to our most vulnerable residents, including seniors, working families and our unhoused neighbors,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District.
“By receiving the AAA rating the County of Orange demonstrated our return to strong financial health. This year for the first time ever, the County met our catastrophic event contingency goals and fully funded our general fund reserves, all while expanding services to our most vulnerable communities,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District.
As the County of Orange transitions from the leadership of former County Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Kim to Acting CEO and Chief Financial Officer Michelle Aguirre, the enhanced rating is especially meaningful as they worked in partnership over the past nine years to ensure a continued sound and complete recovery from the nationally unprecedented 1994 bankruptcy.
“Over the past nine years the County team has worked diligently on behalf of the citizens of Orange County to build a firm foundation for the future through policy improvements and intense strategic planning. The AAA rating is attributed to our commitment to the long-term strategic financial planning that is the foundation of developing our budget each year,” said Acting CEO Michelle Aguirre.
Santa Ana, Calif. (May 22, 2024) –The County of Orange’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Recommended Budget has been released for review by the Board of Supervisors and the public. It is available online at cfo.ocgov.com/budget.
The Recommended Budget is structurally balanced with base budgets totaling $9.5 billion, of which $4.8 billion is the General Fund budgets with $1.1 billion in General Purpose Revenue to cover the cost of providing County mandated services. The Recommended Budget is consistent with the County’s long-term strategic priorities identified through the County’s five-year Strategic Financial Plan process.
A Citizens’ Guide to the FY 2024-25 Budget is also available online, to provide members of the public with an overview of the FY 2024-25 Budget including General Fund revenue sources and uses, budget development and adoption timeline, department requests and key initiatives.
A Public Budget Workshop will be held in person on Thursday, May 30 from 2 pm – 3 pm at the County Administration North building where staff will share the FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget, an overview of the process and be available to address any specific or general questions you may have. Members of the public are encouraged to find more information about this event by visiting ocgov.com/pbw-2425. The public may submit comments on or questions about the Budget through the Budget and Finance website at bit.ly/oc-budget-finance-comments.
The County Executive Office looks forward to presenting the FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget to the Board of Supervisors during the Public Budget Hearings scheduled for June 11, 2024. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the FY 2024-25 Annual Budget at their June 25, 2024 meeting.
The FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget, Budget Augmentation Requests, Transmittal Letter, Key Budget Message, Department Contact List and Citizens’ Guide can be found online at cfo.ocgov.com/budget.
The County also invites members of the public to explore additional budgetary and financial information online through the OpenOC data tool, the Strategic Financial Plan and budget reports. These helpful resources can be found at the links above and: ocgov.com/about/openoc.
Santa Ana, Calif. (December 18, 2023) – The 2023 Strategic Financial Plan (SFP) will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on December 19, 2023, and is posted online with the Board of Supervisors' Agenda. To view the County’s past Strategic Financial Plans, www.ocgov.com/gov/ceo/deputy/finance/budget/plan. Click or tap if you trust this link.">click here.
The County’s budget development begins with the SFP, an annual strategic financial planning process that includes a five-year revenue and expense forecast as well as identification of strategic priorities and emerging initiatives. The SFP provides a framework for testing budget assumptions and aligning available resources with operating requirements; implementing new programs and facilities; and serves as the foundation for the development of the upcoming fiscal year budget. Additionally, the SFP includes capital and information technology project proposals facilitating early evaluation of project viability and economic feasibility. This framework enables the Board of Supervisors (Board) to make annual funding decisions within the context of a comprehensive, long-term perspective. The SFP emphasizes the County must ensure its resources and programs are aligned with countywide strategic priorities and values.
Members of the public may also view a video about the SFP process when the Board of Supervisors' Agenda has been posted. Should a member of the public wish to submit a comment, they may do so by emailing CEOCOM@ocgov.com.
(SANTA ANA, CA) – John Wayne Airport (JWA) has released the results of its comprehensive Economic Impact Study for calendar year 2022, showcasing the Airport’s substantial contributions to Orange County’s economy. As a vital transportation hub in Southern California, JWA creates local jobs, generates state and local tax revenue, and produces income and revenue for residents and businesses.
The Economic Impact Study examines various impact types, including direct aviation activities, capital expenditures, traveler spending, indirect impacts from direct impact sectors, and induced impacts from employee spending within the local economy. Key findings from the study include:
JWA achieved these impressive results operating as an enterprise fund. All costs to construct, operate, and maintain the Airport are generated by the Airport through airline, concession and parking revenues, and various grants. There are no city, County, or state general funds used.
“Aviation is essential to the connection and strength of our local economy, reaching far beyond the airfield, supporting over 45,000 jobs, and stimulating revenue through capital expenditures and traveler spending,” said Charlene Reynolds, Airport Director. “This study highlights the positive impacts John Wayne Airport has on Orange County’s economy and the agency’s critical role in providing economic opportunity, capital value, and long-term investment for the residents and businesses of the area.”
In 2022, JWA served over 11.3 million passengers, including more than 314,000 international travelers, while air cargo exceeded 34.6 million pounds. The Airport recorded 304,000 aircraft operations, with general aviation (privately-owned aircraft) comprising 202,000 operations and commercial operations accounting for 101,000.
The Economic Impact Study also highlights the Airport’s critical role in providing efficient and accessible air transportation to the region. JWA is the closest commercial airport for 88% of Orange County residents, significantly reducing ground access times and costs. The availability of more than 40 non-stop flights further enhances time savings and convenience for travelers, with 71% of domestic passengers opting for non-stop services.
Additionally, JWA’s accessibility and services support various sectors, including technology, healthcare, aerospace, education, tourism, and trade. As Orange County’s sole commercial airport, JWA is essential in stimulating local businesses, promoting economic development, and providing convenient air travel.
The economic contributions of JWA extend to general aviation users, businesses, and industries reliant on air transportation, demonstrating the Airport’s versatile impact on the region.
The complete Economic Impact Study, conducted in 2023 based on 2022 activity, providing a comprehensive overview of JWA’s contributions to Orange County, is available online. For more information, please visit https://www.ocair.com/about/news-info/reports-publications/
Santa Ana, CA – John Wayne Airport (JWA) proudly announces its remarkable achievement of securing the #2 ranking among large airports in North America, according to an annual satisfaction survey of North American Airports. This achievement reaffirms JWA's longstanding commitment to providing an exceptional passenger experience.
In a year marked by record-breaking passenger volumes, JWA stood out for its dedication to passenger satisfaction. Despite facing challenges such as high passenger volumes, a pilot shortage, and weather-related disruptions, overall passenger satisfaction at North American airports improved, thanks to terminal facilities, food and beverage, retail services, and baggage claim enhancements.
John Wayne Airport's Director, Charlene Reynolds, expressed her delight, saying, "We are pleased that our efforts to elevate the guest experience are reflected in the customer satisfaction survey. The positive recognition we have received from guests and travel industry experts is a testament to our attention to detail."
The study measures overall traveler satisfaction and evaluates six factors: terminal facilities, airport arrival/departure, baggage claim, security check, check-in/baggage check, and food, beverage, and retail services.
John Wayne Airport's commitment to excellence has been consistently acknowledged, with the Airport ranking #1 among large airports in 2017 and 2018 and securing the #2 position in 2019 and 2020.
For more information and the entire list, please see the press release
Santa Ana, Calif. (May 25, 2023) – The County of Orange’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Recommended Budget has been released for review by the Board of Supervisors and the public. It is available online at https://cfo.ocgov.com/budget.
The total County base budget is $9.3 billion, of which $4.9 billion is the General Fund budget with $1B in discretionary funding to cover the cost of providing County mandated services. The Recommended Budget is consistent with the County’s long-term strategic priorities identified through the County’s five-year Strategic Financial Plan process.
A Citizens’ Guide to the FY 2023-24 Budget was developed, and is also available online, to provide members of the public with an overview of the FY 2023-24 Budget including General Fund revenue sources and uses, timeline, department requests, and key initiatives the County is prioritizing and funding including OC CARES, Office of Care Coordination, and Housing strategic priorities benefiting individuals in the County’s various systems of care.
The County’s OC CARES initiative links the various systems of care in the County to provide full care coordination and services for individuals to address immediate and underlying issues with the goal of attaining self-sufficiency. Significant achievements have been made in implementing the OC CARES 2025 Vision, including various initiatives in the FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget. Additional information on the OC CARES 2025 Vision can be found by clicking here.
The County Executive Office looks forward to presenting the FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget to the Board of Supervisors during the Public Budget Hearings scheduled for June 13, 2023. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the FY 2023-24 Annual Budget at their June 27, 2023 meeting. In addition, a Public Budget Workshop will be made available by Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The workshop will be previously taped and distributed via the County’s Facebook and YouTube channels. The public may submit comments on or questions about the Budget through the Budget and Finance website by clicking here.
The FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget, Budget Augmentation Requests, Transmittal Letter, Key Budget Message, Department Contact List and Citizens’ Guide can be found online at https://cfo.ocgov.com/budget.
The County also invites members of the public to explore additional budgetary and financial information online through the OpenOC data tool, the Strategic Financial Plan and budget reports. These helpful resources can be found at the links above and: http://ocgov.com/about/openoc/.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – The Orange County Auditor-Controller’s Office has released this year’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), also known as the Citizens’ Report, a summarized guide to the in-depth County Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Both reports reflect information from the 2021-22 Fiscal Year which began on July 1, 2021 and ended on June 30, 2022.
“I am pleased to present the Citizens’ Report for the County of Orange,” said Orange County Auditor-Controller Frank Davies. “This year’s report once again reflects that the County of Orange continues to be in sound financial position with an increase of $1.4 billion in total net position from FY 2020-21. I hope that this report will help everyone understand our complex County finances in a simple yet engaging format.”
Each year the Auditor-Controller’s Office chooses a County agency to highlight as part of the report’s theme. This year’s report includes a “then and now” look at the Auditor-Controller’s Office. The cover includes a photo of County Auditor Leslie H. Eckel (1941-1957) and his Executive Team, alongside the current Auditor-Controller and Executive Team. This historical perspective is carried throughout this report using photographs of Auditor-Controller staff, past and present.
The prior report, for FY 2020-21, once again received the award for outstanding achievement in popular annual financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 19th consecutive year.
To download a copy of the Citizens’ Report or view the report online, click here, or visit the Auditor- Controller’s website at ocauditor.com/reports/citizens-reports. A hard copy of the report is available upon request at pioac@ac.ocgov.com
Santa Ana, Calif. (May 25, 2022) – Today the County of Orange released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Recommended Budget, making it available for review by the Board of Supervisors and the public at: https://cfo.ocgov.com/budget.
The total County base budget is $8.8 billion, of which $4.8 billion is the General Fund budget with $975M in discretionary funding. The Recommended Budget is consistent with the County’s long-term strategic priorities identified through the County’s five-year Strategic Financial Plan process.
A Citizens’ Guide to the FY 2022-23 Budget was developed, and is also available online, to provide members of the public with an overview of the FY 2022-23 Budget including General Fund revenue sources and uses, timeline, department requests, and key initiatives the County is prioritizing and funding including OC CARES strategic priorities focusing on serving individuals in the County’s various systems of care.
The County’s OC CARES initiative links the various systems of care in the County to provide full care coordination and services for individuals to address immediate and underlying issues with the goal of attaining self-sufficiency. Significant achievements have been made in implementing the OC CARES 2025 Vision, including various initiatives in the FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget. Additional information on the OC CARES 2025 Vision can be found at: https://ceo.ocgov.com/government-community-relations/orange-county-criminal-justice-coordinating-council.
Over the last two fiscal years, the County leveraged the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in its public health response and to support small businesses, restaurants, hospitals, cities, community clinics, skilled nursing facilities, childcare facilities and food banks. The County is now leveraging American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the continued response to COVID-19 and programs and projects that serve the community and facilitate the County’s recovery to pre-pandemic conditions. The County took into consideration the feedback provided by the public during the public comment period (February 1 through March 11, 2022) in its recommended use of the ARPA funds. The County remains committed to moving forward on many initiatives benefiting the community throughout all stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The County received the first tranche of $308.4 million in ARPA funding in FY 2020-21 and anticipates the second tranche of the same amount before the end of the current fiscal year. Additional ARPA information can be found at: https://cfo.ocgov.com/resources/arpacares-act-reports.
The County Executive Office looks forward to presenting the FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget to the Board of Supervisors during the Public Budget Hearings scheduled for June 14, 2022.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the FY 2022-23 Annual Budget at their June 28, 2022 meeting.
The County of Orange will offer a Public Budget Workshop on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room. Staff will provide a high-level overview of the County’s FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget for those in attendance and online. The workshop will be livestreamed via the County’s Facebook and YouTube channels along with Network Television Time (NTT) broadcasting.
The FY 2022- 23 Recommended Budget, Budget Augmentation Requests, Transmittal Letter, Key Budget Message, Department Contact List and Citizens’ Guide can be found online at https://cfo.ocgov.com/budget
The County also invites members of the public to explore additional budgetary and financial information online through the OpenOC data tool, the Strategic Financial Plan and budget reports. These helpful resources can be found at the links above and: http://ocgov.com/about/openoc/.
