FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@bos5.oc.gov
OC Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board of Supervisors Meeting Where the Board Voted on Government Transparency, Housing and More
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following yesterday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
Item #S31E (Internal Audit) Receive and file Forensic Audit of County Contracts Phase One Report and related presentation by Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P: The Board of Supervisors received a presentation on the Forensic Audit of County Contracts Phase One Report by Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P., reviewing the County’s top 145 contracts as part of a broader audit of contracts from 2019 to 2024. This first phase evaluates compliance with procurement rules and funding requirements, prioritizing the review of Human Services and Sole Source contracts funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), and the General Fund.
“Serious questions remain about how public dollars moved through third-party entities without a clear paper trail, including what appears to be a pattern of County money being routed through organizations tied to Peter Pham and other insiders,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “When I joined the Board in 2021, city leaders, staff, and nonprofit representatives raised concerns about some of these same contracts. Too often, the response resembled a ‘nothing to see here’ tone — a culture we must change. Orange County residents deserve a government that follows the money, takes warning signs seriously, and investigates credible concerns instead of brushing them aside.”
“As Phase 2 moves forward, we need deeper scrutiny of entities like 360 Clinic, a clearer accounting of what was missed, and a direct assessment of how the County’s reforms can catch or stop this kind of misconduct today,” Foley added. “We also need answers about vetting of politically connected vendors, including unresolved questions raised about DTN Tech and whether County safeguards were strong enough to detect conflicts and unusual contracting patterns early. Taxpayers deserve full transparency, stronger whistleblower protections, and every possible effort to recover misused funds.”
Item #16 (OC Community Resources) Approve Loan and Project-Based Vouchers for Costa Mesa Senior: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a loan and a commitment of up to 34 project-based vouchers for Costa Mesa Senior Center, supporting the production of permanent supportive housing for seniors in Orange County.
“With the approval of $3.9 million from the Board of Supervisors and 34 Project-Based Vouchers, the County provides the final push for Jamboree to pursue tax credit financing and ideally get shovels in the ground this year at Costa Mesa Senior Center. We started this development in 2019, when I served as Mayor of Costa Mesa. The fact that seven years later we finally see a tentative start is evidence that the system for affordable housing development is broken and bogged down by needless red tape. As policymakers, we must streamline housing development to solve the housing crisis,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Vice Chair Foley continued, “This development demanded coordination of multiple funding streams across multiple jurisdictions, as well as many years of planning. Our seniors deserve stability, independence, and a safe place to call home. This partnership with the City of Costa Mesa, Orange County Housing Finance Trust and Jamboree Housing brings 70 new much-needed senior housing units to Costa Mesa residents with incomes of less than $60,000 annually. The development includes a dog run, bike lockers, and direct connection to all Senior Center programming.”
Item #19 (Social Services Agency) Approve increase of expenditures for services under individual contracts for Family Resource Center services: The Board voted to extend Family Resource Center Services, adding the Newport Mesa and Minnie Street Family Resource Centers. This vote allows the Families and Communities Together Program to continue offering a variety of community‑based prevention and family support activities and services that stabilize families and keep children safe.
“Last year, I fought to preserve funding for the Newport Mesa Family Resource Center when potential cuts presented,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Family Resource Centers play an important role in helping families before challenges reach crisis levels. This funding will strengthen prevention services across Orange County, add support for Minnie Street and Newport Mesa, and help more families access counseling, parenting support, case management, and early intervention — keeping children safe and families stable.”
Item #23 (County Executive Office) Approve recommended positions on introduced or amended legislation and/or consider other legislative subject matters: The Board voted to support two additional state bills aimed at closing loopholes in nitrous oxide sales. AB 2076 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal strengthens age-verification requirements and bars large online marketplaces from selling nitrous oxide. SB 1314 by Senator Caroline Menjivar prohibits smoke shops from possessing or selling nitrous oxide and related paraphernalia.
“Orange County continues leading the state on banning nitrous oxide,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Last month we adopted the first County ordinance banning nitrous oxide sales intended for human consumption in unincorporated areas. So far, 10 cities enacted the model ordinance. That work now gains momentum in Sacramento. Senator Tom Umberg advanced SB 758 targeting retail sales at smoke shops and similar outlets, and Senator Catherine Blakespear’s SB 936, which the County co-sponsored, passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on March 17. This bill would restrict large, flavored, and directly inhalable nitrous oxide products.”
In addition, the Board backed several other bills focused on public safety, wildfire prevention, and veterans. This includes:
- AB 1830 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, which would require ignition interlock devices beginning with a first DUI conviction
- SB 907 by Senator Bob Archuleta, a broader DUI reform measure sponsored in part by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office
- AB 2513 by Petrie-Norris, which would expand grant eligibility for vegetation management, ignition prevention, and other wildfire resilience work
- SB 888 by Senator Kelly Seyarto, which would exclude service-connected disability payments from household income for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption.
“These bills reflect the County’s broader priorities,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We supported legislation to strengthen DUI prevention and accountability, expand wildfire mitigation tools and grant access for local communities, and provide meaningful tax relief for disabled veterans and their families.”
Items #24 & #26: Approve Contracts for People Assisting The Homeless (PATH): Items 24 and 26 approve contracts with PATH to operate two County emergency shelter programs, the Yale Navigation Center and Bridges at Kraemer Place. Together, the contracts continue similar services in two different areas of Orange County, providing temporary shelter, case management, and connections to housing, health care, and other support to help people move toward permanent housing and stability.
“With PATH as our partner, the County shelter system helps people stabilize, connect to services, and become housing ready – but there’s no housing available. Shelters alone are not enough. We must increase the supply of supportive, affordable, and workforce housing to meet the demand of our County,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The Orange County Housing Finance Trust continued a strong year advancing affordable housing, and since 2018, our efforts helped build 2,115 affordable homes with 1,182 more on the way. At the same time, the County’s housing authority continues planning to protect 475 households as the federal emergency voucher program abruptly ends.”
The County’s General Plan Progress Report and Housing Element update (also Item 4 on the Board’s agenda) affirms Orange County’s progress on housing while underscoring the need to expand the housing pipeline and bring more homes online.
In addition, Vice Chair Foley released statements in recognition of the following resolutions presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:
Resolution recognizing March as "Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month"
“More than 28,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities strengthen our communities every day, supported by transformative programs across the Fabulous Fifth District that expand independence, confidence, and opportunity. We honor the progress made and reaffirm our responsibility to ensure every resident feels seen, supported, and included – then, now, and always,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Resolution recognizing March 24, 2026 as “Nowruz”
“Nowruz marks a time of renewal, reflection, and community, celebrated for more than 3,000 years and embraced by over 36,000 Iranian American residents here in Orange County,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Across District 5, families gather to honor traditions like Haft Seen, but instead of celebrations and festivals, there are vigil and gatherings to stand in solidarity with those grieving loss, facing hardship and uncertainties, as the war in Iran continues. May this Nowruz bring peace, healing, brighter days ahead and a free Iran.”
Resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr
“Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate across Orange County,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This special time marks the end of Ramadan and reflects a month of reflection, generosity, and deep spiritual commitment within Muslim communities here at home and around the world. Our diverse community grows stronger through the contributions of our Muslim neighbors. As families gather to break the fast, we wish you peace, unity, renewed hope, and prosperity.”
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA),
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board,
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees,
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern,
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills,
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
National Association of Counties (NACO),
Urban Counties Caucus
