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Board delays Orange County Fire Authority appointment after district representation dispute
Summary
Supervisors debated whether the 5th District should continue holding the traditional seat on the Orange County Fire Authority. Vice Chair Katrina Foley requested reconsideration of the chair’s appointments; after disagreement the board voted to continue the OCFA appointment item to the next meeting.
Vice Chair Katrina Foley asked the board to reconsider a chair-led appointment to the Orange County Fire Authority, arguing the 5th District has traditionally held representation on that board and that the district includes large wildfire-risk areas and key communities served by OCFA. Foley moved to change the chair’s recommendation and proposed that Supervisor Wagner and Supervisor Foley serve as OCFA directors for continuity and district representation.
Board members discussed precedent, wildfire risk maps, contractual city relationships and the limits of the chair’s appointment authority. Chair Doug Chaffee said privately meeting with multiple supervisors on appointments would violate the Brown Act and defended his discretion to make appointments. Several supervisors — including Wagner and Nguyen — urged further discussion among offices. A motion to continue consideration of the OCFA seat (limited to that seat) was made, seconded and the clerk called the roll; the item was continued to the next meeting for further discussion.
No final appointment was made on Feb. 11; the county clerk noted the appointment to OCFA would be taken up at the next regular board meeting.
