Costa Mesa Democratic ClubCosta Mesa Democratic Club
  • Join Us
  • Calendar
  • News
  • Voter Guide
  • DONATE
  • Spacer
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
May 7, 2018

OC Supervisors – Part 1

News_Orange_County

Why Supervisors Are Important

When Orange County was established in 1889, the population was approximately 13,000, and those people were represented at the County level by five elected officials (Supervisors).  Since then, the population has swelled to more than 3 million people, which makes Orange County the 6th largest county in the nation.  Because the population has grown exponentially, the footprint of our county government has correspondingly expanded.  Currently, there are more than 18,000 people who work for the County.  However, there is one part of our county government that has not changed over the last 130 years–we still only have five Supervisors.

It is not normal for such a small number of elected officials to represent such a large population.  For example, Orange County has more people than 21 different states.  Each of those states has two United States Senators, a Governor, voluminous amounts of state legislators, and hundreds of county officials representing their interests.  Within Orange County, there are several cities, school boards, and special districts, each with much smaller populations, that are represented by more than five elected officials.  Our Supervisors each represent more than 600,000 constituents, which is about the same amount as an average member of Congress.

Of course, members of Congress get far more attention, and we all know that Congress is important.  However, each member of Congress is only one cog in a 435-person machine.  To get anything done, you need a majority of 435, which is 218 votes.  That means, each member of Congress represents less than 1/2 of 1% of the ability to get anything done (not counting the Senate and the President).  Contrast that ratio with our Supervisors who only need 3 votes to obtain a majority.  As such, each Supervisor represents 33% of the ability to get things done.

However, Supervisors do not only exert influence with their votes.  They also indirectly shape the county government by appointing a CEO, 28 Department Directors, and members to the 85 different Boards, Committees, and Commissions which comprise the governmental infrastructure of our county.  In addition, Supervisors approve contracts, govern incorporated areas, and decide how to spend our $6.2 billion annual budget.

In short, Supervisors wield a huge amount of influence, over a huge amount of people, and over a huge amount of money.

 

OC Supervisors – Part 2 Mesa Water is recklessly spending your money

Related Posts

News_Orange_County

OC Supervisors – Part 2

News_Orange_County

Why the OC Board of Education matters

News_Orange_County

Our County Supervisor’s thoroughly underwhelming record

MEETINGS

We hold monthly meetings to organize, educate and elect Democrats at all levels of government in Costa Mesa. Our events are virtual until in-person group gatherings may resume. Contact us at cmdemclub@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

  1. Team Costa Mesa Volunteer Day of Action

    June 4 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

View All Events

Visit the Costa Mesa Democratic Club on Facebook

Costa Mesa Democratic ClubCosta Mesa Democratic Club
© Costa Mesa Democratic Club 2018
FPPC ID #1359386
Designed by LockedForm.com
Cover Photo: D Ramey Logan [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons

Need to reach us?

Drop us a line using our Contact Form.