In a bid to address ongoing accountability issues, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has announced revisions to its ethics guidelines, following the FBI’s arrest of former Supervisor Andrew Do for allegedly accepting over $500,000 in bribes. The investigation revealed that Do funneled more than $10 million in contracts to nonprofits linked to his daughter, who, while not facing criminal charges, has entered into a diversion agreement.

During a meeting on *August 12, the Board discussed the overhaul of the ethics code, which has remained largely untouched since its inception in 1993. Critics argue that the current guidelines focus too much on lobbyist registration and preventing the misuse of county property, lacking the enforcement needed to hold elected officials accountable.

The proposed changes require supervisors to sign and acknowledge adherence to ethical standards upon taking office. However, critics have raised alarms over the lack of substantial penalties for violations, which could lead to little more than an HR investigation or citation without the ability to remove a supervisor from office in cases that don’t result in criminal indictments. This has sparked concerns about the county’s commitment to self-regulation.

*According to an article in the Voice of OC, Political experts, including Jodi Balma from Fullerton College and Mike Moodian from Chapman University, have voiced their concerns over the board’s decision-making. They argue that the current proposals do not effectively challenge the prevailing culture that allows misconduct to go unchecked.

In a parallel development, California voters ratified a series of *district tax changes in November 2024, which included new citywide and countywide taxes. Despite the intention to bolster revenue, many cities in Orange County are now grappling with financial difficulties. With budget shortfalls threatening essential services such as public safety and libraries, some local officials have turned to spending cuts and reserve funds.

Amid these fiscal challenges, the Board of Supervisors approved significant pay raises for themselves during a *meeting on June 10, 2025. Each supervisor’s annual salary is set to rise by approximately $49,000, elevating their total compensation to a minimum of $244,000—a 25% increase from their previous salaries. This decision has drawn sharp criticism, particularly given the ongoing budget deficits and concerns about prioritizing personal financial gains over the county’s fiscal health.

Supervisor Katrina Foley cast the lone dissenting vote against the pay raises, advocating for greater fiscal responsibility during a time of budget uncertainty. Unlike city council members, supervisors manage full-time responsibilities and a staff of 11, encompassing an annual salary cost exceeding $2 million per supervisor.

On June 24, 2025, the Board adopted a *Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Budget totaling $10.8 billion, with the General Fund at $5.4 billion and $1.2 billion earmarked for essential services. The county has made efforts to increase transparency, encouraging residents to explore various online financial resources, including the OpenOC data tool and archived budget reports.

As Orange County grapples with the need for transparent governance while balancing a growing budgetary crisis, the effectiveness of the newly revised ethics guidelines and the Board’s choices will be closely scrutinized. The ongoing struggle for accountability remains a pivotal issue for the county’s leadership and its constituents.

*https://ocgov.granicus.com/player/clip/5481

*https://voiceofoc.org/2025/08/oc-supervisors-consider-beefing-up-ethics-code/

*https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/L974.pdf

*https://ocgov.granicus.com/player/clip/5455

*https://ocgov.granicus.com/player/clip/5464

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