Moorlach Seeking County’s Top Job

Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector John M.W. Moorlach, the certified public accountant who forecast the county’s 1994 bankruptcy and became a critic of government inefficiency, said Monday he has applied to become the county’s executive officer.

“I’m happy with my current job,” he said, “but I can help improve the county with a financial background. I think I have good credibility with the residents.”

Moorlach, 47, is one of several candidates the Board of Supervisors will consider to fill the position that became vacant when it voted to fire Michael Schumacher in January.

Schumacher was the third county executive officer to hold the office since the bankruptcy. The tenures of all three were marked by stormy relations with the board.

Supervisors are scheduled to meet in closed session today to discuss the applicants, whose names they have not disclosed.

Moorlach said he added his name to the list at the urging of Supervisor Chris Norby.

Two other supervisors said they welcomed Moorlach as a candidate.

“I think he knows where a lot of bodies are buried in the county, and I’d be happy to hear what his thoughts are,” Supervisor Bill Campbell said. “I’m a little surprised to hear it, because I think he’s doing a good job as treasurer. I have a high regard for John.”

Board Chairman Tom Wilson agreed that Moorlach is an interesting candidate. “I’m not quite sure what John is putting forth as his qualifications,” he said, “but I’d be glad to look at his resume.”

Asked what he considers the major issues, Moorlach cited a recent Orange County Grand Jury report criticizing the county for implementing an employee bonus plan worth $15 million a year, allowing sheriff’s deputies to retire at age 50 with 90% of their salaries, and developing a sick leave and vacation policy that could cost the county $30 million.

“We have room for improvement,” Moorlach said. “We could take that grand jury report and start from there.”

Former county Executive Officer Schumacher was hired in 2000 after board members chafed under the management styles of his predecessors, Jan Mittermeier and William Popejoy.

In voting 3 to 1 on Jan. 22 to fire Schumacher, supervisors complained that he wasn’t aggressive enough.