ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : A Little Patience in Trying Times

The Orange County Board of Supervisors made a smart move after the bankruptcy in forming three blue-ribbon panels to examine county functions and offer advice. Though some members of the newly formed committees have complaints about their groups’ operations, it is far too early to throw in the towel.

The Audit Oversight Committee was charged with making a comprehensive analysis of methods of overhauling county government. Some panelists said county staffers are trying to influence the committee’s workings too much, apparently because the staffers were worried about any major reforms. Ironically, members of the Treasury Oversight Committee had the opposite criticism: too little county staff support. The third panel, the Privatization Task Force, complained it was being ignored by the supervisors.

These laments, though perhaps valid, appear to reflect normal growing pains as outsiders try to adjust to the way government agencies do business and bureaucrats adjust to the ways of the private sector. The committees were established to bring together government leaders, business representatives and community activists to propose solutions to the fiscal crisis.

Staff support is important, since the volunteers cannot be expected to do all their own research while holding down their paid jobs. But committee members should understand that the county administrative office and other county government departments have been busy lately.

Many of the departments have seen their ranks depleted by retirements or layoffs needed to help cut expenditures after the Dec. 6 declaration of bankruptcy. Remaining employees are trying to fulfill the functions they had before the bankruptcy and also help higher-ups, including the Board of Supervisors, devise solutions for recovery.

The panels’ tasks are important enough for members to make them work. Raising their concerns is good, because they are unlikely to get help otherwise. But a little patience may be needed while the county sorts things out during these trying times. The wait should be worth it.