FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement on County Budget Hearings and Direction to County Staff to Eliminate Herbicides
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley released the following statement after the Board of Supervisors conducted public hearings on the County's Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recommended Budget.
Orange County continues to demonstrate economic strength, reaching a 4.1% unemployment rate – lower than both the state rate of 5.4% and the national rate of 4.3%. Orange County ranks third in California and ninth nationally in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating $277.5 billion in economic activity and supporting one of the strongest local economies in the nation.
Item #11 (County Executive Office): Fiscal Year 2026-27 Public Budget Hearing: The FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget totals $10.5 billion and addresses essential community, infrastructure, and operational needs throughout Orange County. The budget includes $5.19 billion in General Fund appropriations and $5.36 billion in Non-General Fund appropriations.
“Despite economic uncertainty and growing pressure from state and federal cost shifts, Orange County remains fiscally strong,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We made disciplined decisions, scrutinized spending, protected reserves, and focused resources where residents need them most. This budget safeguards essential services, strengthens public safety, invests in critical infrastructure, and positions Orange County to navigate future challenges without burdening our taxpayers or compromising their quality of life.”
Supervisor Foley added, “This budget reflects responsible choices in a difficult environment. HR 1 creates major uncertainty for County services, especially health care, behavioral health, food assistance, and other safety net programs that residents rely on. This budget prioritizes stability for residents while preserving the County's ability to respond to emerging needs and economic changes.”
Notable Budget Highlights
Public Protection – $1.98 Billion
The budget invests $1.98 billion in public protection services, including the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Sheriff-Coroner Department, Probation Department, and related public safety operations.
“Residents deserve safe neighborhoods, responsive emergency services, and a compassionate justice system that delivers accountability and fairness,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This investment supports crime prevention, victim services, evidence-based rehabilitation, and highly trained first responders who protect our communities every day. These resources strengthen public trust, improve outcomes, and help keep Orange County among the safest counties in America.”
Community Services – $3.8 Billion
The budget allocates $3.8 billion to community services, including the Health Care Agency, Housing and Community Development, Social Services Agency, OC Libraries, OC Parks, OC Animal Care, Dana Point Harbor, and related programs.
“Strong communities rely on accessible health care, stable housing, quality parks, modern libraries, and support for families facing challenges,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Our budget expands opportunity, strengthens community well-being, and improves quality of life for residents of every age. We continue investing in clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces, modernizing libraries and parks, expanding housing opportunities, and ensuring residents can access the services they rely on close to home.”
Infrastructure & Environmental Resources – $2.2 Billion
The budget provides $2.2 billion for infrastructure and environmental resources, including OC Public Works, OC Waste & Recycling, John Wayne Airport, and related operations.
“Reliable infrastructure powers every aspect of daily life,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “These investments strengthen roads, flood protection systems, airport operations, environmental stewardship, and essential public facilities. Residents and businesses benefit from safer transportation networks, more resilient infrastructure, and continued investments that support Orange County's long-term economic success.”
Supervisor Foley added, “At John Wayne Airport, additional staffing strengthens technology systems, improves operational efficiency, and supports future capital improvements that enhance the traveler experience while maintaining the high level of service residents expect.”
Reimbursement of Funds from Andrew Do Scandal
Vice Chair Foley continues to advocate for reimbursement of funds lost through the former Supervisor Andrew Do corruption scandal. She supported directing recovered funds toward the communities and purposes originally intended.
“Taxpayer dollars belong to the public and deserve accountability,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Any recovered funds should support the residents and communities harmed by this misconduct, particularly through nutrition assistance and community programs that serve vulnerable families. At a time when federal reductions threaten food assistance and health care access, Orange County must prioritize resources that help residents meet basic needs.”
“This corrupt act by Mr. Do already cost taxpayers more than $1.7 million in forensic audits, litigation, technology reviews, and other recovery efforts. We owe residents a full accounting, aggressive recovery of public funds, and investments that restore public trust.”
Item #S10A (Vice Chair Foley): Direct Staff to Implement Countywide Phaseout of Routine Herbicide Use and Update to Integrated Pest Management Practices in County Operations: The Board of Supervisors passed the majority of Supervisor Katrina Foley’s policy recommendations to ban herbicide over reliance in a 4-1 vote. The Board also formally approved a pilot project Vice Chair Foley previously initiated with OC Public Works regarding San Juan and Trabuco Creek channels.
“I remain disappointed that my colleagues continue placing politics ahead of public policy. Even though a majority of our initiative passed, my colleagues stripped the essential public noticing requirements in the case of herbicide application across the county,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “While herbicide spraying remains indefinitely paused throughout the San Juan and Trabuco Creek Channel Pilot area, I plan to reintroduce public noticing requirements at the next Board of Supervisor’s meeting. Orange County residents deserve transparency to help make informed decisions about where their families recreate.”
Supervisor Foley continued, “My opposition to herbicide overuse spans back many years. I remain encouraged by the overwhelming public support in exploring nontoxic solutions for our waterways. I also want to extend appreciation to the Board for their formal direction to support our existing efforts to explore safer alternatives to herbicides in our waterways.”
Recommended Item 10: would have directed staff to, “develop public noticing requirements for any proposed herbicide or pesticide application during the transition period, including advance notice on the County website, posted notice at affected public sites where feasible, identification of the product proposed for use, purpose of application, application area, date range, contact information, and explanation of why nonchemical alternatives cannot reasonably address the documented need.”
*OC Public Works paused herbicide applications countywide in May 2026 while evaluating and implementing safer vegetation management strategies.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the final FY 2026-27 Annual Budget on June 23, 2026. Additional information on County programs, budgets and Board meeting dates and agendas can be found on the County’s website at www.ocgov.com. Community feedback is important throughout the budget development cycle and can be provided year-round at https://cfo.ocgov.com/.
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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
