ORANGE COUNTY
CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
MARCH/APRIL 2026
Message from the Clerk of the Board
Celebrating Employee Appreciation Week
Welcome our New Team Members: Patricia Ramirez, Michelle Ortiz and Sean Thenard
Meet your Safety Team: Abigail Kingston and Ronald Galang
Assessment Appeals DivisionA Strong Finish, Powered by Teamwork
Earn Wellness Credit
Clerk of the Board BirthdaysMarch & April
COUNTY CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPEVISORS
County employees play a crucial role in the administration of county government and are expected to deliver effective and efficient services. Serving as a county employee is a rewarding and fulfilling career path that contributes to the wellbeing of the community and the success of the county government. As we continue to serve our constituents, I want to take a moment to reflect on recognizing you (COB staff) for everything you do at the Clerk of the Board’s office.
From March 2 – 6, 2026, the Clerk of the Board held Employee Appreciation Week. It was an important opportunity to recognize our employees that provide administrative support to the Board of Supervisors, the governing boards of certain districts and authorities and the Assessment Appeals Boards and Hearing Officers for Orange County Government. Whether staff are in divisions that are public facing or internal, you are providing vital services to enhance the community and betterment of Orange County, and Employee Appreciation Week was to celebrate the hard work of our employees. The week featured something for everyone to enjoy!
Clerk of the Board leadership strives to find ways to have a little bit of fun together as a reminder of how valuable our employees are to our county and community who provide services to over 3,000,000 residents of what I think is the best place to live! It’s a wonderful feeling when you’re surrounded by those who have an unwavering commitment to our department’s mission. There’s no greater challenge and there is no greater honor than to be in public service.
I truly thank every one of you who answer the call to serve the community. There are not enough words to express that gratitude.
Robin Stieler
Robin Stieler Orange County Clerk of the Board
EmployeeAppreciationWeekisaspecialtimeeachyearwhenwepausetorecognize theheartofourorganization—ourdedicatedemployeesWhiletheworkyoudomatters everyday,thisweekgivesusamomenttospotlightyourhardwork,commitment,and themeaningfulimpactyoumakeonourteamandthecommunityweserve
Acrosseverydivision,department,androle,eachemployeecontributessomething uniqueandessentialWhetheryouresolvingproblemsbehindthescenes,supporting colleagues,improvingprocesses,orprovidingdirectservicetothepublic,yourefforts helpbuildanenvironmentwhereexcellenceisnotonlyexpectedbutachieved
ClerkoftheBoardcelebratedbigthisyearforEmployeeAppreciationDaywithnotjust oneday,butawholeweekofgoodies!MondayincludedDanishPinwheelsforbreakfast TuesdayfeaturedaNachobarforlunch!Breakfastburritoswereabighiton Wednesday!PizzaPartylunchonThursdayandtoppeditalloffonNationalEmployee AppreciationDayonFridaywithanIceCreamSocial!
Throughoutthisweek,wehopeyoufeltjusthowappreciatedyoutrulyare.Small celebrations,sharedmoments,andteamgatheringsarejustonewayweexpressour gratitude—buttherealappreciationrunsmuchdeeper.Itlivesintherecognitionofyour contributions,thetrustweplaceinyourabilities,andthepridewehaveinserving alongsideyou.
EveryonehereatClerkoftheBoardplaysanessentialroleintheworkthatwedo.Every taskyoucomplete,whetherlargeorsmall,hasameaningfulimpact!Notjusttousin leadership,buttotheDepartment,totheCountyandmostimportantly,tothepublicand taxpayersthatweserveYourhardworkdoesnotgounnoticed,andweappreciateyour effortsnotjustthisweekandnotjustonEmployeeAppreciationDay,buteveryday Thankyouforyourdedicationandyourunwaveringcommitmenttooursharedmission Weregratefulforallthatyoudo—notjustthisweek,buteveryweekoftheyear
Patricia Ramirez Board Services Trainee
Michelle Ortiz Board Services Trainee
Sean Thenard Board Services Trainee
We’re excited to welcome three new team members to the Clerk of the Board family!
Their fresh ideas and expertise will make our team even stronger as we continue to grow together.
Let’s give them a big round of applause and a warm welcome!
We’re excited to welcome Patty Ramirez to Board Services! She joined the Clerk of the Board on Friday, February 6, 2026, and we ’ re excited to have her on the team In her new role, Patty will process claims against the County and handle agenda items filed by Sheriff Coroner, Probation, District Attorney, Public Defender and Child Support Services She will process the item pre-and-post Board meeting by providing a review of the staff report and backup material, creating a title to appear on the Board agenda, processing the minute order for each item and ensuring the record is complete by obtaining the fully executed contract and any other required documents afterwards Over the next few months, Patty will learnfrom her fellow Board Services team members about the processes we follow, some of which are mandated by State legislation/statutes
Patty brings a wide range of County experience to the Clerk of the Board As a 10-year County employee she has served in various capacities She started out at Probation as an Office Assistant where she worked at the front desk reception at Probation’s South County office She was then promoted to Information Processing Technician where she assisted at three different Probation offices She then left Probation to work as an Office Specialist with the Health Care Agency as an Eligibly Worker. Next, she worked for the Sheriff-Coroner and Social Services as an Office Supervisor. She then returned to Probation as a Senior Office Supervisor where she supervised 52 staff with four direct reports within the teletype, Juvenile Hall booking and investigation units at Juvenile Hall
Her background gives her an extensive knowledge of the Departments for which she is responsible here at COB!
Education:
Patty has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Cal State Fullerton She is originally from Orange County and has never left!
Outside of work, Patty enjoys spending time with her husband and 4-year-old daughter She loves to bake and use her Cricut machine Hmm what yummy things can she bring to the office
Fun fact – she has a twin sister who lives in Canada
We’re excited to welcome Michelle Ortiz to the Files Management team! She joined the team on Friday, February 20, 2026, and we ’ re thrilled to have her on the team, bringing with her over two and a half years of experience with the County of Orange after transferring from the SSA agency Since day one, Michelle has jumped right in shadowing division staff and getting hands-on with just about everything the Files Management Division has to offer From submitting facilities work orders, opening IT tickets to creating purchasing requisitions and diving into records research, she’s been doing it all and making it look easy
It didn’t take long for Michelle to make an impression Her strong customer service skills shine through in every interaction no surprise given her background with the SSA agency, YMCA, Anaheim City School District, and Anaheim Union High School District Working with students of all ages has clearly given her next-level patience (and probably some great stories, too!). She’s already a natural fit with the Clerk of the Board’s customer service values Michelle will continue shadowing staff as she builds up her expertise, but it’s safe to say she’s off to a fantastic start
Education:
Michelle attended the University of California, Los Angeles She was a Chicano Studies major with a focus on Expressive Arts and Labor, Law & Policy studies
Outside the office, Michelle is just as dynamic. During her time at UCLA, she cleverly “volunteered” as a concert photographer scoring free entry to shows while capturing the action behind the lens Talk about a win-win! She’s also a big fan of musical theater and takes her love for Broadway seriously traveling to New York occasionally to catch the latest and her favorite shows We’re excited to have Michelle on the team and can’t wait to see all the great things she’ll accomplish! Clerk’s Corner, Page 8
We’re excited to welcome Sean Thenard to Assessment Appeals! He joined the Clerk of the Board on Friday, March 6, 2026, and we ’ re thrilled to have him on the team In his new role, Sean will support Intake duties, assist hearing clerks, and help with COB response tasks while learning the assessment appeals process from start to finish.
Over the next few months, Sean will shadow team members, join section meetings, and meet with mentors to get a full picture of how we collaborate and serve the public We’re looking forward to seeing him grow with the team and contribute to our shared commitment to service, accuracy, and teamwork
Sean brings hands-on experience in training, organizational support, and public service He completed a year-long internship with Orange County Community Resources’ Staff Development and Training division, helping develop and deliver trainings for colleagues and stakeholders He also worked as a Test Administrator with Pearson VUE and most recently at Equus Workforce Solutions, gaining experience in communication, organization, and working with diverse communities This background gives him a strong foundation to support daily operations while learning the broader workflow, from Intake to final Board decisions. We’re excited for the perspective and skills he brings to the team
Sean holds master’s degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Sports and Exercise Psychology from California State University, Long Beach His studies focused on team dynamics, process improvement, and training development; skills that align well with our department’s values and ongoing efforts to grow and refine services. In the coming months, Sean will focus on learning key resources, understanding the assessment appeals workflow, and connecting with team members through training and shadowing As he settles in, he’ll take on new responsibilities and contribute to team initiatives As Sean shared about his long-term goals: “When I grow up, I want to continue working with training development, drafting procedures, and teaching”
Outside of work, Sean is a games enthusiast: tabletop board games, Sudoku, and computer games He loves a bit of friendly competition: he competed in collegiate crew and archery and has a 100% escape room success rate. You might also spot him on the convention circuit or at a local ren-fair, enjoying cosplay and other fun events Clerk’s Corner, Page 9
BACK-UP CLERK OF THE BOARD COUNTY SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE
PRIMARY CLERK OF THE BOARD
COUNTY SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE
County Safety Representatives (CSRs) are selected individuals by department management who serve as the department’s primary safety representative and as the main point of contact between the department and the CEO/Risk Management- Safety Loss Prevention (SLP) Office.
CSRs work closely with department heads, managers, supervisors, and SLP personnel to identify, evaluate, and communicate safety practices. They ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA health and safety regulations. The role of a CSR is critical not only to their department but also to the county as a whole, enhancing safety awareness and keeping everyone safe.
CSR offers guidance for an ergonomic self-assessment and provides ergonomic evaluations upon request
CSR offers guidance for an ergonomic self-assessment and provides ergonomic evaluations upon request.
CSR provides the tools to enhance the ability to identify hazards and provide further guidance for tasks as needed.
CSR conducts workplace inspections to ensure regulatory compliance and to eliminate and evaluate exposures. Clerk’s Corner, Page 11
It was a fast-paced finish to filing season for Assessment Appeals. This year marked our first full cycle with electronic filing fully in place While online submissions continue to grow, many taxpayers and agents still file by mail, leading to a surge in manual data entry at the close of the season.
In total, we received 6,517 applications, including 3,611 mailed submissions requiring manual entry. Nearly 40 percent, about 1,448 applications, were received the last week of the filing deadline in November. Altogether, 3,238 applications were manually entered after the end of the filing season
For those less familiar with our work, timely entry is a critical first step. It allows applications to move forward for additional review and hearing scheduling. Even with one fewer team member and shifting assignments, the Intake team adapted quickly and kept everything on track
And the results show it. The team met the March 1 completion goal two weeks ahead of schedule.
As electronic filing expands, it brings both efficiencies and new challenges Because online submissions bypass a second level of review, more applications are being placed on hold for follow-up. In response, Assessment Appeals continues refining Intake’s processes to support our mission with accuracy, efficiency, and high-quality public service
This success was a true team effort. Special thanks to our Intake team, Miguel, Joanna, and Cynthia for handling the bulk of application entries this season, and a warm welcome to Sean, who joined the team in March We also appreciate the support from our Lead Clerks, Maria, Jacqui, and Lydia, along with Ben in Board Services and Angie, Christine, and Cynthia in Files, who stepped in as their availability allowed, helping to keep work moving. Miguel led the team with 1,006 total applications entered, followed closely by Joanna with 959, a reflection of the teamwork that carried us through another successful filing season
A strong finish and a confident path forward!
Wondering how your overall health is doing? Routine screenings like vision exams, dental visits and cancer screenings can give you a clear snapshot of your well-being. These preventative measures can help guide you toward healthier habits and identify areas to focus on plus, earn points towards your Wellness Credit. Watch this video to learn more, then visit Your Pathway to Wellness to get started.
Earn points toward your 2027 Wellness Credit
Completing a biometric screening earns Healthy Action points toward your 2027 Wellness Credit & Opportunity Drawing. You have four ways to participate:
Health Care Provider Form (Physician Results Form): Complete a biometric screening during your annual well-check visit with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) and submit a completed provider form by August 14, 2026. Results between August 16, 2025, and August14, 2026, will be accepted.
Quest Lab (Patient Service Center): The most convenient option with multiple locations near home and work. Schedule and complete your screening between May 18, 2026, and August 14, 2026.
·Onsite Screening Event: Attend a screening hosted at a County worksite. Events will be held starting in June, and schedules will be available in May more details coming soon.
At Home Test Kit (Self-Collection Materials): Order by August 1,2026, and submit to Quest by August 14, 2026.
NEW! Earn points from preventive cancer screenings
Download the certification form and take it with you to your screenings. Make sure your provider completes and signs the form, then upload the forms to the Your Pathway to Wellness portal by August 14, 2026, to receive credit.
March
Cynthia Sandoval
Irene Muro April
Cynthia Garcia
Abigail Kingston
Robin Stieler
Annie Johnson
Maria Carrillo
