FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@bos5.oc.gov
OC Board of Supervisors Establishes OC-LA28 Olympic Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee and Votes on Maintaining Safe Beach Infrastructure, Strengthening Behavioral and Public Health Outreach, Cleaning Flood Control Channels, and more.
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement following Board action on an Olympic Ad Hoc committee, safe beach access infrastructure, implementing a successful Behavioral and Public Health outreach campaign, cleaning flood control channels, and more.
Item #S43B (Chairman Chaffee) Creation of LA28 Olympic Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee: The Chair appointed Vice Chair Foley and Supervisor Sarmiento to lead the OC-LA28 Olympic Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee will coordinate Orange County departments, regional partners, hospitality businesses, and community stakeholders to ensure the County capitalizes on and benefits from Olympic-related activities – prioritizing economic development, viewing activations, resident access, and team recruitment across Orange County.
“Orange County offers an unmatched quality of life and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will showcase us on the world stage,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “To meet that moment, we need to prepare now. This committee will bring the County and Orange County’s private sector together, strengthen coordination across agencies, attract teams to stay here, create safe opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy all our county offers, and maximize the once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity the Games will offer Orange County.”
Item #S43C (Internal Audit Department) Approval of County’s Ethics Program Audit Contract: The Board voted unanimously on a contract approval with Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP, allowing the Internal Audit Department to outsource an audit of the County’s Ethics Program from April 15, 2026 through April 14, 2027 for an amount not to exceed $71,000.
“After last month’s forensic audit, the County cannot afford to treat ethics oversight as optional,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This action supports an independent review of our ethics program and reinforces our commitment to transparency, accountability, whistleblower protections, and protecting taxpayer dollars.”
Item #S43K (OC Public Works) Adopt Resolutions and Approve Revised OC Traffic Committee Bylaws: The Board voted unanimously on the approval of the Orange County Traffic Committee’s March 12, 2026, report, including assigning a crossing guard in Las Flores and establishing a 25-mph speed limit on Saddle Way in Rancho Mission Viejo.
“Las Flores and Rancho Mission Viejo families and educators asked for safer routes to school. The crossing guard and speed reduction is our direct response to those concerns,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We must prioritize keeping our children safe. This practical improvement will help protect students, improve safety near schools and neighborhoods, and give parents greater peace of mind.”
Item #S43M (County Executive Office) Approve 2026 State Budget Request Priorities: The Board voted unanimously on the approval of the County’s 2026 State Budget Request Priorities, allowing staff to advocate at the State level for funding to support critical safety net services for vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, and low-income individuals with disabilities.
“H.R. 1 poses one of the most serious threats Orange County residents have faced in years, placing nearly one million people at risk of losing critical health, housing, and food insecurity services,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This vote directs staff and our lobbyists to fight in Sacramento for the funding owed to Orange County residents. In meetings on Monday in Sacramento with legislators and the Governor’s Office, I raised the growing pressure H.R. 1, Proposition 36, and state cost shifts place on In-Home Supportive Services, public health, housing, and transportation. Orange County only receives $0.05 on every property tax dollar – the lowest in the state and half as much as all other counties. With no flexible general fund revenue, we cannot absorb millions of dollars in funding losses.”
Vice Chair Foley added, “Orange County is working with other large counties on a coordinated strategy. At the local level, we continue to limit discretionary spending, reduce costs, revise the County budget, protect core mandated services, and identify additional departmental savings. Even so, these combined external pressures are too large for counties to absorb without reducing services residents rely on. That is why I urged the Governor’s May Revision to backfill any federal funding losses.”
Item #9 (CEO) North Strand Beach Access Improvements Quitclaim Deed with Headlands Reserve LLC: The Board voted unanimously to approve a quitclaim deed to transfer ownership of improvements from Headlands Reserve LLC to the County of Orange, supporting County efforts to provide beach access and amenities for the public at Strands Beach, as well as vital storm drain infrastructure for Dana Point Harbor.
“For decades, a gap in ownership left important public infrastructure at North Strands Beach in limbo and in need of repair,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “With this action, the County takes full responsibility for these improvements, including the walkway, stairs, fencing, landscaping, and restrooms that support access to Strands Beach and Dana Point Harbor. Our residents deserve safe, reliable, and accessible ways to reach and enjoy our coastline.”
Item #17 (Health Care Agency) Contract for Behavioral Health and Public Health Outreach Campaign: The Board voted 3-2 on the approval of the Behavioral Health and Public Health Outreach and Strategic Marketing Campaign with Angels Baseball LP.
“I opposed funding this contract due to a lack of evidence showing effectiveness in driving residents to mental health resources, as well as value for the funding,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “When we invest public dollars in outreach, we should expect clear results, strong accountability, and meaningful public engagement. We need strategies that truly connect people to behavioral health and public health services, not efforts that are easy to miss and difficult to measure.”
Item #30 (OC Public Works) Acting as the Board of Supervisors and Orange County Flood Control District: The Board voted unanimously to aggregate contracts for Channel Cleaning Services to allow OC Public Works to provide necessary resources for the County of Orange and Orange County Flood Control District regarding flood control maintenance, clearance of debris and encampments in the public rights-of-way, and run-off water pollution reduction.
“Cleaning these flood control channels means removing trash, debris, and silt, and clearing vegetation along access roads and around critical infrastructure. This contract does not allow use of herbicides or pesticides. No herbicides are used for this work. I remain firmly opposed to using herbicides in our public spaces and waterways,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I want residents to know that due to complaints to my office, no RoundUp or glyphosate have been applied in the Trabuco or San Juan Creek Flood Control Channels since 2025. These pesticides will not be applied in these channels again.”
“We must hold contractors to the law and to the standards our communities expect,” Vice Chair Katrina Foley continued. “The Fifth District looks forward to launching a pilot program using manual and mechanical vegetation clearing to help prevent herbicide use in our creeks and protect habitat for native species such as trout. We will keep working to protect our environment while also protecting Orange County residents and property from flooding.”
Item #35 (Social Services Agency) Memorandum of Understanding with In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority: The Board voted unanimously to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Orange County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority for the Administration of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
“In-Home Supportive Services workers are a vital part of Orange County’s system of care because they help seniors and people with disabilities remain safely at home, where care is more dignified and far less costly than institutional placement,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “That saves the state and federal government money while helping families keep their loved ones in familiar surroundings. At the same time, Orange County may soon face growing pressure to reestablish indigent care programs as more residents lose health coverage. That makes it even more important to protect IHSS.”
Vice Chair Foley added, “I continue to oppose the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the state’s share of IHSS hours and shift $233.6 million in costs to counties. Orange County must protect this essential program and continue pushing back against cost shifts that place an unfair burden on local government.”
Item #36 (CEO) Primary and Secondary Developer Selection for 1725 West 17th Street Development: The Board held a robust discussion on selecting a primary developer to negotiate an Option and Lease Agreement with the Chief Real Estate Officer for redeveloping the Health Care Agency facility at 1725 West 17th Street in Santa Ana. The top two proposals came from TruAmerica/The Academy Group and C&C/Waterford. The Board ultimately voted 4-1 to begin negotiations with C&C/Waterford as the primary developer.
“Both proposals brought strengths to the table. I supported moving this process forward,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “At the same time, significant questions remain, including Surplus Land Act compliance and financial projections that rely heavily on rent assumptions. As the winning proposal comes back to the Board, I expect negotiations to reflect the priorities I raised, including confirming the levels of affordability, more family-sized units, adequate parking, demolition costs covered by the developer, upfront support for relocation of the current HCA facility, a signed labor agreement with local hire preference through the Orange County Building Trades and Carpenters, and inclusion of a childcare component.”
Vice Chair Foley continued, “We need to stay disciplined in negotiations to secure the strongest return for taxpayers and deliver a project that better serves the community.”
Item #44 (OC Community Resources) Approve Orange County Housing Authority Administrative and Annual PHA Plan: Conducting a public hearing and adopting the Orange County Housing Authority’s updated Administrative Plan and Annual PHA Plan for FY 2026-2027 ensures compliance with federal requirements to document statutory, regulatory, and local discretionary policies that govern the Housing Choice Voucher program.
“The Board prioritizes the safety of our residents. We updated our Administrative Plan to reflect this commitment by formally denying taxpayer-funded housing assistance if any household member appears on a sex offender registry, protecting the communities served in affordable housing. We also removed bureaucratic barriers to affordable housing in high opportunity areas. Every resident of Orange County deserves a safe, stable roof over their head,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Item #45 (OC Public Works) Adopt Resolution to Perform 2026 Fire Hazard Reduction Weed Abatement Program: The Board voted on the adoption of a Resolution to abate weeds and combustible vegetation abatement in the unincorporated areas on properties where the owners failed to remove weeds and vegetation by the April 14, 2026, deadline. If the County performs the cleanup, it charges all costs, including inspection and administrative fees, back to the property owner through the tax bill. The County will clear the property using mechanical and hand removal methods – no pesticides will be used. This Resolution aims to improve fire safety in the unincorporated areas of the County of Orange.
“Wildfire season lasts year-round,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The County’s mechanical and hand removal methods for weed and combustible vegetation reflect the same toxic-free standards I championed as Mayor of Costa Mesa in 2019. We must build resilient communities where Orange County residents remain safe from fires.”
In addition, Vice Chair Foley released statements in recognition of the following resolutions presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:
Resolution recognizing “Fly Friendly Program”
"Our general aviation community stepped up to educate pilots, promote eco-friendly flying, and set a standard that balances responsible aviation operations with quality of life for our residents,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “For the fourth consecutive year, I extend my gratitude to the pilots and private jet operators making intentional choices to fly quieter procedures, limit late-night operations, and invest in newer, more efficient aircraft.”
Resolution recognizing April 2026 as “Child Abuse Prevention Month”
“We all share the responsibility of ensuring every child in Orange County enjoys growing up in a safe, healthy, nurturing environment. Last year in District Five, we received 4,189 reports of child abuse and placed 242 children in out-of-home care. Thank you to our County Social Services Agency and local law enforcement for your proactive efforts to reduce and prevent abuse,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “To report child abuse, call our hotline at 714-940-1000 or 800-207-8464.”
Resolution recognizing April 6-12, 2026 as “Public Health Week”
“We thank our public health leaders for working tirelessly to ensure we stay clean and green here in the County of Orange,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “My office remains focused on reducing substance abuse, investing in the health of our seniors and our most vulnerable, promoting electric vehicle infrastructure for clean air quality, and maintaining safe water quality in our beaches and waterways.”
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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 28 Olympic Planning Ad Hoc,
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
