OC Board of Supervisors address grand jury concerns and confirm they will not reverse 25% salary increase.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is standing firm in its decision to uphold a contentious 25% pay increase, despite a grand jury report labeling the move as “tone-deaf” and “troubling.” The supervisors, who authorized an increase to bring their annual salaries to approximately 4,000, which aligns with California Superior Court judges, assert that rescinding the raise could contravene state law.

The grand jury’s criticisms were published in a December report, which accused the Board of supervisors of eroding public trust by approving the pay hike as a budget item, thus avoiding the need for public discourse. This decision was deemed particularly inappropriate considering Orange County’s ongoing budgetary constraints and hiring freezes. The jury’s report underscored a perceived disconnect between the board’s fiscal actions and its responsibility to maintain transparency and accountability to the constituents it serves.

In a recent meeting, the Board of Supervisors formally rejected the grand jury’s findings and recommendations. The response was not unanimous; Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley opposed the official wording, indicating her disagreement with its presentation. Second District Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento chose to abstain from the vote altogether, while also expressing his regret over the decision to approve the salary increase last June.

Sarmiento articulated concerns regarding the legal implications of rescinding the pay raise, noting that state law prohibits supervisors from decreasing their own compensation during their tenure. Despite these legal constraints, he emphasized the need for improved transparency and accountability mechanisms going forward. Both Sarmiento and Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee had pledged to donate their raises to charitable causes last year, highlighting a willingness to address public concern over perceived self-enrichment.

The grand jury’s report, which drew from confidential interviews and public documents, highlighted the timing of the salary increase, which occurred shortly after the sentencing of former Supervisor Andrew Do. Do was convicted and sentenced to five years in federal prison for accepting bribes tied to the misappropriation of COVID relief funds. This context heightened scrutiny of the board’s actions, with the grand jury noting that the timing raised questions about oversight and ethics among county leadership.

In their rebuttal, the supervisors dismiss claims of a “lack of transparency,” arguing that public comment opportunities were adequately provided during the approval process. Additionally, they contested the assertion that there was no independent review process for salary adjustments, asserting that their compensation is explicitly linked to that of superior court judges.

With the recent 25% raise, the salaries of the Orange County supervisors surpass those of Governor Gavin Newsom and are comparable to their counterparts in neighboring counties, thus reflecting the broader context of supervisor compensation in California. The situation continues to draw attention as the Board of Supervisors grapples with public perception and accountability issues amidst budgetary challenges.

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