South County Supervisor Takes Charge

Lisa Bartlett ascended from vice chair to chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors today.

Supervisor Todd Spitzer handed over the gavel -- “reluctantly,” he joked -- to Bartlett near the end of today’s meeting. Michelle Steel was elected vice chair of the board.

Bartlett, who represents South County cities in the Fifth District, said she was “really honored to have your confidence and support.”

She praised Spitzer for his “passion and leadership” over the past year.

Bartlett said that during her one-year term, she would focus on “continuing to increase government efficiency, ending homelessness in Orange County and moving forward with the shelter in Anaheim.”

She also cited work on a new animal control shelter and improving how the county cares for strays.

Bartlett also said she was eager to keep pushing for more of the county’s share of tax dollars from the state, a continuing complaint from county officials who believe they get less back from the state than any other county.

Bartlett also wants to “make our public meetings more orderly, efficient and transparent.”

The new chairwoman said she would like to nudge staff to get their reports in to supervisors two weeks in advance instead of the usual five days. She formed a subcommittee with herself and Steel to study the issue.

“People who know me understand I always work in a collaborative fashion and put policy and process above politics,” Bartlett said.

City News Service