ORANGE COUNTY CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPEVISORS MARCH/APRIL 2026
Clerk’s Corner IN THIS ISSUE
Next-Generation Meeting Solutions: Agenda Management, Speaker Requests, and Remote Participation for Board of Supervisors Meetings Excellence in Action: Celebrating Our Public Records Team Transparent and Engaged Public Governance Assessment Appeals Public Workshop: Prepare for Your Hearing
Cultivating Leadership: Reflections on the CSAC William “Bill” Chiat Institute for Excellence in County Government Boosting Connection Through Employee Engagement Events Sonia Acuna: Shining a Light on Dedication Clerk of the Board Birthdays: May, June, July, August & September Assessment Appeals Filing Season: A Department-Wide Team Effort
Issue IV - Clerk’s Corner, Page 2
ORANGE COUNTY CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPEVISORS
Clerk ofMessage the Board’s
In every corner of our organization, there’s a story worth telling — stories of dedication, creativity, and the quiet determination that turns everyday tasks into something extraordinary. Our COB employees aren’t just doing their jobs; they’re shaping lives, building connections, and making a difference in ways that ripple far beyond the workplace. Whether it’s the extra care taken to help a colleague, the innovative idea that streamlines a process, or the compassion shown to a member of the public, these moments define who we are. Meaningful work isn’t always about grand gestures — it’s about the consistent, thoughtful actions that align with our shared values. Every project completed, every challenge overcome, and every smile shared contributes to a bigger picture: a workplace where purpose drives performance. Inspiration in Action Collaboration that Counts – Teams coming together to solve complex problems with creativity and respect. Going the Extra Mile – Employees stepping up to support one another during busy seasons. Impact Beyond the Office – Volunteer efforts and community outreach that reflect our commitment to making a difference. As we move forward, let’s remember that inspiration isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we create. And here, in our Clerk of the Board family, we create it every day. Thank you for bringing your heart, your talent, and your purpose to work. You are the reason our mission thrives.
Robin Stieler Robin Stieler Orange County Clerk of the Board Clerk’s Corner, Page 3
GOES LIVE!
OC AGENDA GOES LIVE After years of dedicated work behind the scenes, OC Agenda launched in April 2026—a modern platform that powers one of the most essential functions of County government: the Board of Supervisors agenda process. After evaluating and working with multiple third-party vendors, the County concluded that the marketplace lacked agenda management solutions capable of supporting its operations. OC Information Technology (OCIT) and Clerk of the Board (COB) made the strategic decision to design and build OC Agenda entirely in‑house, allowing full control over functionality, workflow design, and adaptability. The project proceeded in phases supported by collaboration with Board Offices, COB staff, County departments, and executive leadership. The unveiling of the OC Agenda Management System marks a significant milestone in improving organizational productivity and streamlining processes related to meeting management. Key features of the system include a user-friendly interface, agenda creation and management, real-time collaboration, integration with existing tools, action item tracking and reporting. Designed to facilitate better planning, collaboration, and execution of meetings, the system ensures processes run smoothly, consistently, and transparently. OC Agenda successfully supported its first Board meeting on April 28, 2026. This marks a significant milestone, replacing three legacy systems that served the County for over 25 years. OC Agenda now manages this entire workflow, integrating the Clerk of the Board’s internal systems —AgendaWorks and AgendaSearch— and Countywide System — Comprehensive Agenda Management Solution (CAMS) — into a single, paperless solution. I want to take a moment to recognize Valerie, Jamie, Maria, Dora, Bill, and Richard for their deep involvement in the agenda management project over the past five years. Their unwavering support, dedication, and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in driving this initiative forward. I also want to thank the Board Services team for their support in testing before deployment and for focusing on maximizing the potential of the system, and addressing any initial challenges. Due to the entire teams commitment, we have achieved significant milestones and ensured the project’s ongoing success. Please join me in thanking this outstanding team for their hard work and perseverance.
OC Agenda Project Team
OC Agenda Steering Committee
Ris e &
N I H S E!
Board Speaker Management Portal and AI Translation
Launch of Speaker Management System Portal and AI Translation for Board of Supervisors Meetings
The Clerk of the Board launched remote participation for members of the public to participate in Board Meetings in response to California Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) and upgraded the live webcasting capabilities of its Board of Supervisors meetings to promote greater community participation. Those upgrades appear in three primary areas: 1) an online Request to Speak Portal that enables members of the public to use a simple electronic form for both in-person and phone participation, receive automatic email confirmations and reminders, and access the form in multiple languages; 2) a new multi-lingual translation and interpretation system for in-person speakers and 3) real-time AI-driven translation, captioning, and broadcast services in six languages: Arabic, Farsi, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. If members of the public attend in person and want to speak on an agenda item or make public comments, new kiosks outside the Board Room enable them to register, choose the agenda item (up to three total) they wish to speak on or choose public comments, and select a language they wish to speak. When coming to the podium to speak, their comments are displayed on the large screen in the meeting room using an AI-powered translation tool.
The portal registration opens one hour before the start of the Board meeting, typically at 8:30 a.m. In‑person and remote participants can register for an agenda item or choose public comments throughout the meeting at the kiosks. Requests must be submitted prior to the beginning of the consent calendar, reading of an individual agenda item(s), opening of a public hearing or beginning of public comments. Requests to speak on agenda items that have been continued or deleted will not accepted.
Remote participants can watch a meeting online, then call in as their agenda item approaches. If they have registered, their names will appear in a list that will be called by the Clerk of the Board at the appropriate time. Both in-person and remote participants will be given three (3) minutes to speak or a duration as determined by the Chair. When their time expires, a remote participant will be disconnected and receive an automated message informing them that their time is up. Also, the Clerk of the Board can provide space for members of the public who want to translate a public meeting into any language or receive interpretation provided by another member of the public, so long as the interpretation is not disrupting to the meeting, in accordance with Government Code section 54957.95. Space can be arranged for one of more interpreters to provide interpretation in the County Administration North Multipurpose Room. In addition, multilanguage webcasting of Board meetings is available for live and archived meetings in multiple languages (in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, Spanish and Vietnamese). The audio language and subtitles are provided in named languages. Members of the public can click on the gear icon and select a preferred language for the audio track or the subtitles to appear in their preferred language.
The August 11, 2026 meeting was the first Board of Supervisors meeting where these new processes and technologies were implemented, in compliance with SB 707, and are meant to deepen community members’ engagement with the Board of Supervisors meetings. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of the Board Services and Files Management teams, Bill and Richard. Their dedication in testing and implementing the speaker management system, as well as their ongoing support for members of the public at every Board meeting, is invaluable. Please join me in expressing sincere appreciation to all team members for their commitment and contributions.
Files Management Division
EXCELLENCE IN ACTION Celebrating Our Public Records Team When it comes to transparency and public trust, our Public Records Act (PRA) team sets the gold standard. From the moment a request arrives, staff members carefully review, research, and compile responsive documents, ensuring compliance with state law while safeguarding sensitive information. Their work is not only about meeting deadlines — it’s about upholding the public’s right to know. We call them the ‘Guardians of Transparencyʼ. Our office has seen a significant increase in Public Records Act (PRA) requests, many of which have been driven by election-related matters and environmental issues that have generated strong public interest. Since January 2026, the unit has received 215 requests — each one handled with precision, timeliness, and a commitment to accuracy. The recent influx of requests has highlighted not only the public's interest in local government issues but also the invaluable contributions of our staff who make transparency possible. Their hard work and dedication deserve recognition and appreciation. Behind every PRA request is our COB team who work diligently to locate records, coordinate with multiple departments, review documents, and ensure responses are accurate, timely, and compliant with legal requirements. Much of this work takes place behind the scenes, but it plays a critical role in supporting transparency and maintaining Special recognition goes to the PRA team whose attention to detail and collaborative spirit have helped streamline our review process, reducing turnaround times without compromising quality. We want to highlight the professionalism, adaptability, and teamwork demonstrated by our PRA team. Despite competing priorities and tight deadlines, they continue to approach each request with patience, attention to detail, and a commitment to public service. Their efforts help ensure that members of the public have access to information while allowing the office to continue meeting its day-to-day responsibilities. Their dedication reminds us that transparency is not just a policy — it’s a promise. And thanks to their efforts, it’s a promise we keep every day.
SUPPORTING TRANSPARENT AND
ENGAGED PUBLIC GOVERNANCE When people hear "Clerk of the Board," they often think solely of our role supporting the Board of Supervisors. But our responsibilities extend far beyond Board meetings. The Clerk of the Board (COB) also provides professional clerking support to a wide range of Boards, Commissions, and Committees, collectively known as BCCs, that function to help shape public policy and community programs throughout Orange County.
WHAT ARE BCCS AND WHY DO THEY MATTER? BCCs vary widely in purpose and structure. Some are advisory bodies that focus on specific policy areas, studying issues in depth and developing data‑driven recommendations to guide the Board of Supervisors. Others function as appellate bodies because not all types of appeals require a courtroom with judges and lawyers; County appellate boards bring together subject‑matter experts who are empowered to review cases and render decisions. Other BCCs are established by state law and charged with overseeing and carrying out programs mandated by California statutes. No matter their purpose, each BCC plays a critical role in making government more transparent, collaborative, and accessible to the public.
WHAT IT MEANS TO CLERK A BCC Clerking a BCC involves far more than attending meetings and taking notes. COB staff coordinate closely with County departments and stakeholders to prepare and publish Brown Act compliant agendas, gather and organize supporting materials, assemble agenda packets, post and distribute documents to members and the public, attend each meeting, document actions taken, prepare and publish minutes, and maintain each body’s official record. This behind‑the‑scenes work ensures that government decision‑making is open, accurate, and accountable.
SUPPORTING TRANSPARENT AND
ENGAGED PUBLIC GOVERNANCE WHY THIS WORK IS IMPORTANT Our clerking services help create meaningful opportunities for community engagement and ensure residents can make their voices heard on the issues that matter most. The work of these commissions is not only essential, but also worthy of recognition. For example, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls was recently honored as a finalist in ACC‑OC’s Golden Hub of Innovation Awards in the category of Collaborative Community Development & Innovation after publishing the first comprehensive report on women and girls in Orange County in over three decades and provides a current baseline the Commission can use to support their recommendations to improve the lives of women and girls in Orange County.
CLERKS CLERKING BCCS
Staff listed below are designated as clerks for various boards, commissions and committees and are responsible for managing records, facilitating meetings, and ensuring compliance with procedural requirements. Their BCCs may hold meetings several days a week, monthly, quarterly, once or twice a year, or as needed. Valerie Sanchez, Chief Deputy Clerk of the Board Jamie Ross, Business Services Administrator Joanne Golden, Business Services Analyst Lydia Archuleta, Lead Board Services Specialist Maria Carillo,Lead Board Services Specialist Jacqui Chavez, Lead Board Services Specialist Dora Guillen, Lead Board Services Specialist Maria Lopez, Lead Board Services Specialist Sonia Acuna, Senior Board Services Specialist Alessandra Esquivel, Senior Board Services Specialist
SUPPORTING TRANSPARENT AND
ENGAGED PUBLIC GOVERNANCE BCCS CURRENTLY CLERKED BY COB The Clerk of the Board proudly supports the following Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Assessment Appeals Boards-------------------Maria Carillo, Lydia Archuleta, and Jacqui Chavez Audit and Investment Oversight---------------Valerie Sanchez Committees Bridges at Kraemer Place------------------------Joanne Golden Community Advisory Board City Selection Committee-----------------------Jamie Ross and Joanne Golden Commission to Address--------------------------Valerie Sanchez and Joanne Golden Homelessness First 5 Orange County, Children and----------Jamie Ross and Maria Lopez Families Commission Orange County Community--------------------Jamie Ross and Sonia Acuna Corrections Partnership Orange County Commission on--------------- Valerie Sanchez the Status of Women and Girls Orange County Housing Finance--------------Valerie Sanchez and Dora Guillen Trust Orange County Human Relations-------------Jamie Ross and Alessandra Esquivel Commmission Orange County Juvenile Justice---------------Jamie Ross and Sonia Acuna Coordinating Council Orange County Juvenile Justice---------------Jamie Ross and Sonia Acuna Coordinating Council SB 823 Subcommittee Well Standards Advisory Board----------------Valerie Sanchez
s e i n n u B d n a s t Baske
Inspiration
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR
ASSESSMENT APPEAL HEARING PRESENTED BY THE ASSESSMENT APPEALS DIVISION
The Assessment Appeals Division conducted a workshop for single-family applicants on how to prepare for their assessment appeal hearing. The workshop took place on June 25, 2026 at the County Administration North Multipurpose Room and focused on providing essential information for taxpayers seeking a reduction in their property tax assessment. It is important to note that the division has not held a workshop since 2019. This recent event serves as a valuable opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with the appeals process and how to be successful at their hearing. The workshop allowed staff to gather valuable lessons learned and feedback from participants, which will significantly enhance the planning and execution of future workshops.
THANK YOU TEAM FOR MAKING IT A SUCCESS!
TEAMWORK
CSAC WILLIAM “BILL” CHIAT INSTITUTE FOR
Excellence in County Government Cultivating Leadership: Reflections on the CSAC William “Bill” Chiat Institute for Excellence in County Government
The CSAC William “Bill” Chiat Institute for Excellence in County Government is a professional development program created in 2008 by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) to address the limited continuing education opportunities for California county elected officials, executives, and senior staff. The Institute was established to meet the growing needs of county leaders facing complex governance challenges, evolving community demands, and the need for effective leadership. It provides cost-effective, high-quality continuing education that is both practical and interactive, designed for adult learners. The program features interactive, hands-on activities and courses align with defined competencies for effective public service leadership. Ronald Galang participated in the County of Orange cohort of the Institute for Excellence in County Government, beginning on September 23, 2024, and concluding with the final class on July 23, 2025. The cohort included County executives, department directors, and senior staff from our county in addition to staff from other counties. Chair Chaffee presented certificates to our county employees who graduated from program at the May 19, 2026 Board Meeting. Ronald shared insights from his time at the institute.
“Participating in the CSAC Leadership Institute training program was one of the most valuable professional development experiences I have had. The program challenged me to think differently about leadership, not only in terms of managing projects and responsibilities, but also in how I support others. One of the highlights of the program was connecting with county professionals from across California, mostly Riverside County staff. Hearing their experiences, challenges, and successes provided new perspectives and reminded me that many of us share similar challenges and essential goals in serving our communities. The conversations and relationships built throughout the program were just as meaningful as the coursework itself. The training also encouraged us to reflect on our own leadership style and identify areas for growth. What I valued the most from the experience was our group discussions, group activities, and real-world examples that we all have faced. The highlight of our cohort was having our County District Attorney providing some good insights and perspective from his point of view as an elected official. Oh and he did provide some “musical” entertainment that I’m not a liberty to divulge much of, since it was a safe space and what happened in the class, stays in the class – and oh yeah he’s still the DA .”
😊
CONGRATULATIONS,
Graduates!
HAPPY
Birthday May Patty Ramirez June Sean Thenard July Jamie Ross Ronald Galang Valerie Sanchez Sediq Flahi August Joanna Knapp Sonia Acuña Joanne Golden Benjamin Acevedo September Maria Lopez Christine Robinson
COB EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT COMMITEE
ENGAGED AND ENERGIZED BUILDING A STRONGER WORKPLACE TOGETHER BUILDING A STRONGER
WORKPLACE TOGETHER
Over the past 5 months, our workplace has been buzzing with energy, laughter, and collaboration thanks to a series of employee engagement events designed to bring us closer together. From team-building challenges to creative workshops, these moments have reminded us that our greatest strength lies in our people. Our Agua Frescas gatherings offered a refreshing break and a chance to connect midweek with colleagues from other departments. The Baskets and Bunnies event brought creative energy, inspiring new ideas and playful collaboration as we hopped into spring. Ice Cream Socials were a sweet celebration where everyone came together to enjoy ice cream, encouraging creativity and sharing personal favorites. Finally, Rise & Shine Appreciation Time breakfast is a wonderful way to start to the day, fostering community and meaningful conversations. These events aren’t just about fun—they’re about building trust, fostering creativity, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s fantastic to see the committee excited to keep the momentum going. THANK YOU Abbie, Angie, Ben and Patty for your work on the committee! We look forward to see what you will do in the future. Collectively, you’re shaping an environment where participation is not only welcomed, but truly valued and honored.
a u g A s a c s e r F
a u g A s a c s e r F
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
SONIA ACUÑA We’re proud to spotlight Sonia Acuña from our Board Services Division team — a true example of how passion and purpose can transform everyday work into something extraordinary.
SONIA ACUÑA SHINING A LIGHT ON DEDICATION AND LEADING WITH EXCELLENCE
As a Senior Lead Board Services Specialist, Sonia Acuña plays a critical role in the Board Services Division of the Clerk of the Board’s office by working with County departments and various local agencies to enforce the California’s Political Reform Act. As the Filing Officer for Form 700s, she works with agencies to ensure public officials meet their legal obligation to file Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700). These statements are required for officials who have a financial interest that could affect their official duties, and they are designed to disclose potential conflicts of interest to the public. Jamie has provided an overview of Sonia’s responsibility as Filing Officer. FAMILY LAW
Annual, Assuming, Leaving, Biennial, Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). These terms are all part of Sonia’s everyday duties. Every elected official or public employee who is designated in their agency’s conflict of interest code, who makes or can influence government decisions is required to file a Statement of Economic Interests (also known as Form 700, Conflict of Interest or COI). As a Senior Board Services Specialist, Sonia Acuna handles the Conflict of Interest/Form 700 for the County of Orange. Form 700’s provides transparency to the public and shows accountability by disclosing information about financial interests, if any, to ensure public officials are making the best decision without augmenting their personal finances or reminding them to abstain in a decision. Sonia currently oversees 5695 active filers. These filers make up the following: 27 County Departments, 23 County Boards, Commissions and Committees (BCC) members, 3 college districts, 3 library districts, 5 sanitation districts, 22 water districts, 48 school districts (including charter schools), 3 Regional Occupation Programs (ROP) and 43 special districts which includes CalOptima, OCTA, Children & Families Commission, Rossmoor Community Services District, Emerald Bay District, etc. Each entity has a contact person to help their respective filers by answering basic questions, but Sonia is always available for questions—whether basic or complex. Filers can file and submit their form online using the Clerk of the Board’s eDisclosure System, a digital platform approved by the State. This system streamlines the process and ensures all required information is captured, preventing incomplete submissions.
There are 3 types of filings: Assuming Office: Filed within 30 days of starting a position Annual: Due April 1st Leaving Office: Filed within 30 days of leaving a position Missing these deadlines can result in a $10 per day fine by the Clerk of the Board (COB), per Government Code Section 91013. After multiple reminders, unresolved filings are referred to the FPPC’s Enforcement Division, which enforces compliance and may impose larger fines. Every two years, entities must review their conflict of interest codes for accuracy. If no changes are needed, contacts “sign off” in eDisclosure. If updates are required, entities approve changes, which Sonia reviews and submits for Board of Supervisors (BOS) approval. While biennial reviews prompt updates, changes can occur at any time. The biennial review just forces entities to take a look and make sure everything is still correct. Sonia’s daily duties include responding to emails from filers and contact persons, addressing issues submitted via eDisclosure, running reports to determine if reminders are needed, working with contacts to amend their entity’s conflict of interest code, preparing BOS agenda staff reports for initial or amended code approvals, explaining filing requirements for Form 700 and managing a variety of other tasks. Sonia handles about four Public Records Act (PRA) requests monthly, ranging from specific filers and years to broad requests (e.g., all Health Care Agency employees from 2019–2025). She collaborates with the COB’s Files Management Division and County Counsel to fulfill these requests. Since Form 700 is a public document, filers are advised not to use their home address, as nothing is redacted. In addition to her work as the Filing Officer, Sonia processes agenda items from various County departments and creates agenda items for inclusion on the Board of Supervisor’s agenda, processes claims for money or damages, serves as the back-up clerk to the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Orange County Community Corrections Partnership and Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council SB 823 Subcommittee and assists her peers in various Board Services Division duties. Organization is key to staying on top of all the due dates! To manage deadlines and tasks, Sonia relies on Excel spreadsheets, file folders, and Outlook reminders. Her deep knowledge of the Form 700 process is valued by filers and contacts alike, and her willingness to go above and beyond is always appreciated. Sonia’s approach reminds us that meaningful work often comes from empathy, patience, and the willingness to go the extra mile. She embodies the COB spirit — where we don’t just meet expectations, we exceed them with heart. Sonia, thank you for your leadership and commitment and for showing us what it means to lead with care and purpose. You inspire us all to lead with heart and integrity.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
ASSESSMENT APPEALS FILING SEASON:
DEPARTMENT-WIDE TEAM EFFORT Each July marks the start of the Assessment Appeals filing season. The filing window opens on July 2 and closes on November 30. If November 30 falls on a weekend, the deadline extends to the next business day. During this period, property owners can challenge their assessed property values if they believe they are incorrect. The filing season is one of the busiest times for Assessment Appeals, often prompting questions across multiple County departments. Providing accurate information and directing customers to the right office helps us deliver effective, efficient, and courteous public service. In recent years, we have consistently received between 7,500 and 8,000 applications during the filing period. For the past two years, our ODESY system has enabled online filing, which has greatly streamlined the process. Now, about half of all applications are submitted online, allowing for direct processing and reducing the need for manual entry by the Assessment Appeals team. Online filing benefits everyone by reducing paperwork, minimizing data entry errors, and enabling applicants and agents to submit applications quickly and securely from anywhere. The remaining applications are entered manually by our team. Processing thousands of applications annually is a collaborative effort, with team members sharing data entry duties, answering questions, and ensuring each application is handled accurately and efficiently. Customers frequently contact multiple offices before reaching the correct division, especially during peak periods near the November deadline. Understanding which office handles specific questions helps improve response times and provides clearer guidance to the public. While the annual filing period runs from July 2 through November 30, supplemental and escape assessments issued throughout the year generally have shorter filing deadlines. Inquiry volume typically increases during the final weeks of filing season. Once an application is accepted, hearing scheduling may take several months, depending on case volume and application completeness. This year, Miguel Perez entered the highest number of applications in our office. Special thanks to Miguel and everyone who helped process the many applications received. The dedication and attention to detail shown by our team during this busy period are greatly appreciated and play a vital role in making each filing season successful.
We encourage more applicants and agents to use our online filing system in the future. Online filing streamlines the process and enables us to serve the public more quickly and efficiently. We are proud of our team’s accomplishments this year and look forward to building on this success in future filing seasons. Continued collaboration across departments is essential to ensuring customers receive accurate information and timely assistance throughout the assessment appeals process. Thank you to everyone who contributes to making each filing season a success. Common Referral Contacts During Filing Season Assessment appeal filing status, hearing questions, or application requirements Clerk of the Board – Assessment Appeals Division Telephone: (714) 834-2331 ext. 1 Email: Comments@cob.oc.gov Property values, assessments, or homeowner exemptions Assessor’s Office Telephone: (714) 834-2727 Tax bills, payments, penalties, or delinquent taxes Treasurer-Tax Collector Telephone: (714) 834-3411 Email: AskTaxCollector@octreasurer.gov Refund processing questions Auditor-Controller Telephone: (714) 834-2450 Email: pioac@ocauditor.gov Claims for Refund of Overpayment of Taxes and/or Penalties Clerk of the Board – Board Services Division Telephone: (714) 834-2206 Email: Comments@cob.oc.gov
Helpful Reminders During Filing Season The Assessment Appeals Division does not determine property values. Questions about assessments, values, or homeowner exemptions should be directed to the Assessor’s Office. Questions about tax bills, payments, penalties, or delinquent taxes should be directed to the Treasurer-Tax Collector. Assessment appeal applications must be filed within statutory deadlines.
CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County Administration North 400 W. Civic Center Drive, Sixth Floor Santa Ana, CA 92702-0687 cob.ocgov.com