Board honors public health week and Vietnam veterans; approves housing, shelter and lifeguard pay changes

The Orange County Board of Supervisors opened its March 26 meeting with proclamations recognizing National Public Health Week and National Vietnam War Veterans Day, followed by an award presentation for the OC Zoo.

During the health proclamation, supervisors and Health Care Agency staff highlighted health equity and community partnerships. "This theme emphasizes that public health is not confined to health care," the chair said as supervisors invited HCA staff to the dais. HCA leadership noted recent reaccreditation by the National Public Health Accreditation Board and the launch of the 2024–2026 Community Health Improvement Plan for public comment.

The board also honored Vietnam War veterans. Supervisor Andrew Do delivered personal remarks about his experience and the service of veterans; community veterans and organizers told stories of sacrifice and called for continued support for veterans’ services.

In presentations: Pam Passo, OC Parks director (speaker 8), accepted recognition for the OC Zoo’s award from the California Park and Recreation Society and introduced longtime manager Donald Ziegler, who spoke about the zoo’s development and recent improvements.

On the business calendar the board approved several housing and shelter items: loan financing and project‑based vouchers for Lincoln Avenue Apartments in Buena Park and the Orianna Apartments in Orange to create new affordable units, and a contract amendment to renew emergency shelter operations at The Bridge (Mercy House), including a $1.2 million annual operating increase. "This model is effective and our per‑bed costs remain below comparable jurisdictions," a supervisor said during debate.

The board also approved an amendment to OC Lifeguards’ contract that raises the starting wage from $19.25 to $28.25 per hour to retain staff and maintain beach safety operations.

Telecare, a community provider, was the focus of a brief exchange: a public speaker raised past corrective action findings at a Be Well residential site; Health Care Agency director Veronica Kelly explained that those problems were specific to a residential substance use program that ended and said Telecare’s full‑service partnership programs are meeting or exceeding goals. Supervisors asked staff to meet with Telecare leadership for additional review.

Votes on the items discussed were recorded as carried unanimously where indicated.

What’s next: The board approved funding and contract actions that will move forward to implementation through the CEO and relevant county departments; supervisors requested additional follow‑up on Telecare oversight and aggregated contract funding sources.