OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board of Supervisors Meeting Where the Board Voted to Approve the 2025-26 Budget, Didi Hirsch Contract, Traffic Reduction, and John Wayne Airport

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
June 25, 2025 

Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley

(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement following the unanimous vote to support

Item 76: Approve Fiscal Year 2025-26 Final Budget: The Board of Supervisors voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Final Budget. The $10.8 billion budget addresses essential community, capital, and operational needs for the county.

“This $10.8 billion budget is balanced and reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and funding the County’s essential operational, capital, safety, and community needs,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “In a time of uncertainty at the state and federal levels, I’m proud of the work we’ve done to protect our workforce while ensuring that all our employees received their Cost-of-Living Adjustments."

Vice Chair Foley continued, “The budget invests in parks, libraries, roads, harbor improvements, and airport infrastructure. It also includes critical funding for health and support services that uplift our most vulnerable residents. Our County staff worked tirelessly on this year-long effort.”

Read Vice Chair Foley’s previous summary of the Budget here.

Item 73: Approve Contracts for OC Sailing and Events Center Dock Reconstruction Project: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve $4,191,400 for the design and construction of our Orange County Sailing and Events Center Dock Reconstruction Project at the Dana Point Harbor.

“When I first got elected to the Fifth District, I met with the community user groups and toured the dilapidated OC Sailing and Events Center docks. I committed to upgrading this important community asset. Bellingham Marine is currently replacing thousands of slips throughout the Harbor, and utilizing their mobilized construction to modernize our public docks will save the taxpayers $3.4 million,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Replacing our aging public docks enhances safety and expands ADA access for local families, youth programs, and visitors.”

In addition to the dock upgrades, the board voted unanimously to support my request for funding to engage the community and redesign the OC Sailing and Events Center.

Item 16: Adopt Resolution and Approve Revised OC Traffic Committee Bylaws (Public Works): The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the revised Orange County Traffic Committee Report of April 10, 2025, and to adopt a resolution that will restrict right turn on red for southbound Antonio Parkway at Sendero Way during peak hours to ensure the safety of Rancho Mission Viejo residents.

“In April, residents in Rancho Mission Viejo asked our office to limit right turns on Sendero Way to improve traffic and pedestrian services. Today, we delivered on that promise in record time,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I’m hopeful that limiting right turns at this intersection will effectively decrease cut-through traffic, ensuring a safer neighborhood for Rancho Mission Viejo residents whether they’re walking, running, or riding their E-Bike.”

Item 50: Mental Health Services Act Plan Update Fiscal Year 2025-26:

In a 4-1 vote, with Vice Chair Foley voting NO, the Board approved the 2025-26 annual update to the Orange County Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan.

“With the passage of Proposition 1, we are preparing for the transition from Mental Health Services Act to the new Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), which will bring updated guidelines and priorities to better serve our community,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This transition is extremely difficult. We are in a position of being forced to cut successful programs that do not fit within the new requirements of BHSA, or Prop 1. While it is true we are continuing to fund some important programs, such as suicide prevention for veterans, I had concerns with why we are cutting certain programs one year before BHSA goes into effect, and the lack of a plan for how to serve our residents who will continue to need assistance after these programs are cut.”

Item 51: Contract for Suicide and Self-Harm Reduction Services and 988 Hotline Services: The Board of Supervisors voted to approve two contracts with Didi Hirsch Psychiatric Services for management of the 988 hotline and to provide suicide and self-harm reduction services for the term of one year (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026).

“I’ve spent a significant amount of time weighing our options and trying to find a way for DiDi Hirsch and Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance to partner for more capacity to serve residents in need of specialized suicide counseling services. We found a win win,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I heard from many of our residents about the profound positive impacts Didi Hirsch has had on their own lives and for those who’ve lost someone to suicide. I am confident that Didi Hirsch will continue to successfully serve Orange County residents as they have done with distinction for the last 15 years.”

Item 55: Approve Biometric Verification Services License with AIClear, LLC: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a one-year pilot with AIClear, LLC (Clear), providing John Wayne Airport passengers with an additional option for faster, more convenient identity verification and expedited security screening.

“With 80,000 Clear customers currently in Orange County, we are one of the only major airports in the State of California not partnering with Clear. The other airport is in Burbank,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The pilot program is projected to bring in more than $470,000 annually, with Clear maintaining responsibility for all of its own staffing. I am confident that this will be a successful one-year pilot.”

Item 63: Approve Contracts for Families and Communities Together Program (FaCT): The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve contracts for the Families and Communities Together Program, continuing Family Resource Centers, Family Stabilization Services, and Differential Response - Path One Services. The Board also voted to include Minnie Street and the Newport Mesa Family Resource Center, expanding services across District 5 from Costa Mesa to San Juan Capistrano.

“Strong families build strong communities, and these resources help lay that foundation. Approval of these contracts will continue vital services for Orange County families, providing crisis support, counseling, parenting education, and early intervention to keep families together,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The contracts fund Family Resource Centers in Orange County’s highest-risk areas, ensuring families and children get tailored assistance like emergency housing, domestic violence prevention, and case management, supporting self-sufficiency and resilience. We are expanding our reach to serve even more families across District 5 and beyond.”

In addition, Vice Chair Foley released statements in recognition of the following resolutions presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:

Resolution proclaiming June 15, 2025 as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”:

“This month, as we honor Elder Abuse Awareness Day, pause and reflect on the invaluable role our older adults play in our families, communities, and history. With more than 690,000 seniors in Orange County and 1 in 10 experiencing abuse annually, we must stand together to ensure our aging population lives with dignity, safety and respect – in their homes and in their communities,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “In 2024, the County of Orange Social Services Agency's Adult Protective Services received 20,571 reports regarding abuse and neglect. If you suspect abuse, speak up. Call Adult Protective Services at 800-451-5155.”

Resolution proclaiming June 20, 2025 as “World Refugee Day”:

“Our refugee community is filled with people who were forced to flee their home countries because of a real and reasonable fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Thousands of refugees have been welcomed into Orange County. We stand in solidarity with our refugee neighbors, witnessing their strength, listening to and learning from their stories, and re-committing ourselves to building a community where everyone feels safe, supported, and has a place to call home.”

Resolution proclaiming June 2025 as “Gun Violence Awareness Month”:

“Gun violence impacts all of us. Organizations like Moms Demand Action Orange County have worked tirelessly to make a difference, including making phone calls and writing letters and emails in support of gun violence prevention measures, including in San Clemente,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “According to the OC Sheriff’s Department, there were 149 gun-related deaths in Orange County in 2024. Whether it’s self-harm, community violence, domestic violence, or even political violence, we have to end gun violence and reckless gun usage in our country.”

 ###   

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 2025 Board appointments include:

Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,

Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),

Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee,

Regional Transportation Committee, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency,

Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA),

TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee,

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel,

Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,

Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board,

Coastal Greenbelt Authority,