County Budget Hearing Update: Advocating for You to the Board of Supervisors

Dear OCEA member,

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Board of Supervisors engaged in a public discussion as they prepare to consider approval of the County’s 2025-26 budget later this month.

Several members of the OCEA Board of Directors and OCEA staff representatives spoke during public comments about chronic understaffing, unsustainable workloads, and the urgent need for real investment in the workforce. They delivered a clear message: the County maintains massive reserves while employees work short-handed, creating a crisis that impacts both workers and the community we serve. You can watch a video of those presentations by clicking the play button above.

The County's recommended budget for FY 2025-26 is $10.8 billion, up $1.3 billion from last year. Click here to view the County’s full presentation.

Despite a discussion about various budget constraints, two messages from the County came through loud and clear: (1) Your 4% July 2025 general wage increase is secure and fully budgeted; and (2) There are no planned furloughs or layoffs of OCEA-represented employees.

At the same time, budget documents reveal over 1,750 vacant OCEA-represented positions—almost double the County's public projections. This unfairly creates budget "savings" on the backs of overworked employees. OCEA will continue to move the County to fill vacant positions through upcoming scheduled budget adjustments in September and January. There may be a soft hiring freeze in the short term, but we want those positions to be promptly filled as the budget evolves.

It is no secret that there remains a level of uncertainty surrounding State and Federal funding. But as we prepare for 2026 negotiations, this budget discussion provided a clear picture of where the County currently stands. The County has resources. Now we need its commitment to continue to invest in the workforce that keeps Orange County running.

In Solidarity,

OCEA

Publication Date: June 11, 2025