Charting a Course for a Better Future : Leadership Means Running a Leaner Ship in Bad Times

There’s little good news these days regarding the state of the economy, but there is one encouraging development in Orange County. Government and business leaders are taking a fresh look at a variety of ways to conserve resources and generate jobs. These creative strategies will serve the county well when the economy recovers.

Ideas are coming from all directions. Among them:

* Taking a cue from President Clinton’s pre-inaugural “economic summit,” Orange County held its own summit recently. The gathering brought together political and business leaders to search for ways to improve the economy.

Some of the business leaders who attended used the opportunity to complain about bureaucratic over-regulation and red tape. But these oft-voiced complaints shouldn’t be ignored simply because they are not new. Every effort should be made to make the state and the county more open to business, including streamlining the permit process at all levels and reforming the state’s workers’ compensation system.

The summit was one of several around California that will lead to a statewide summit Feb. 16 and 17 in Los Angeles. Orange County should send a strong contingent to that.

* Spurred by public sensitivity to waste in government, many Orange County cities are putting the spotlight on expenses, especially perks, that once were considered routine but that no longer have a place in government.

For example, Tustin put new controls on credit cards after complaints that police commanders used them to charge $12,000 worth of meals. Last week, under criticism for meal and other expenses, the Santa Ana City Council agreed to cut down on food, travel and recreation. Anaheim’s travel budget was halved from what it was three years ago. Costa Mesa cut its meal expenses for the council, staff and committees by more than half. And Huntington Beach got a refund on a $5,000 set of china used to serve the City Council.

Nor, thankfully, is that the end of the list. Cutting these costs is important because it is a symbol of a government’s commitment to cut the fat.

* State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) has introduced a measure that would allow counties like Orange, which operates under the general law of the state, to contract for some services that must now be provided by county government. Currently, only charter counties, which are independent from the state, have the power to enter into private contracts for certain services.

A similar measure died amid a buzz saw of opposition from state employee unions last year. Because the state is facing yet another huge deficit this year, the situation for counties is expected to worsen. Counties will need more flexibility in dealing with their fiscal woes.

There are pitfalls. For example, there will be much discussion about whether contractors should be required to provide health insurance to their employees. Still, it’s encouraging that negotiations are continuing on ways to contract for certain services.

* Gov. Pete Wilson last week selected Santa Ana as a state “enterprise zone.” That will give the economically depressed community a welcome set of incentives--including business tax credits--to woo new manufacturing firms and keep others from leaving.

All this and more will be needed to bolster Orange County. But, although it’s tough going right now, many leaders in the county are cooperating in an energetic search for ways to set a stronger course for the future. And that’s a hopeful sign.