Countywide : Grand Jury Says Board Aides Usurp CAO Work

The Orange County Grand Jury on Thursday endorsed the findings of previous investigators that aides to county supervisors have usurped some functions of the County Administrative Office.

“Over the past several years there has been a reduction in the recognition of the CAO’s authorities and responsibilities,” the grand jurors said in their report to the supervisors.

“The supervisors’ executive assistants have become their basic source of information and advice on county operations. . . . This has reduced the effectiveness of the CAO and has, very likely, created duplications of effort,” the report says.

The County Administrative Office is intended to function for the county much the way a city manager does for a city. The office draws up the county’s annual budget and oversees county departments.

County Fire Chief Lawrence J. Holms has been acting county administrative officer while the supervisors look for a permanent replacement for Robert Thomas, who retired in January at age 65. Thomas took the position when it was established in 1967 and held it until his retirement.

The grand jury, adopting the report done for it by the accounting firm of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., recommended that Thomas’ replacement receive the approval of at least four of the five supervisors. It also suggested that the new person chosen have responsibilities and authority that are clearly defined and understood by the supervisors and the appointee.

In November, 1983, three county officials working outside the County Administrative Office audited the office at the request of two of the supervisors who were unhappy with Thomas’ performance. The three concluded that advisers to the supervisors had too much power in running the county.

In response, the supervisors agreed to strengthen the office, which provides fiscal analyses and recommendations to the supervisors on a wide range of county operations. But they declined to appoint a single chief executive for the county, as suggested by the audit.