John Williams: as sharp as a bowling ball

You’ll recall that, earlier this year, trustee John Williams, the OC Public Administrator/Public Guardian, was the subject of two scathing Grand Jury reports that essentially accused him of mismanagement, incompetence, and various worrisome irregularities.

Today, a reader commented:

It seems as though the Orange County Board of Supervisors is FINALLY going to act on these [Grand Jury] findings. In the agenda for the upcoming [Board of Supervisors] meeting you will find under Item 45 where the BOS will adopt an ordinance to separate the elected position of the Public Administrator's office and the ex officio Public Guardian. This will again create two departments and Mr. Williams will now have to account for his actions to the CEO [County Executive Officer Thomas G. Mauk, I believe] will serve at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors….

The reader advises perusal of the “staff report,” and suggests that, according to that report, Williams will cease his role as Public Guardian after his term is up.

I read the agenda for the Dec. 8 BOS meeting, and, indeed, item 45 is the following:

Consider first reading of "An Ordinance of the County of Orange, California Repealing Ordinance No. 07-008, Which Designated the Public Administrator as the Ex Officio Public Guardian; and set second reading and adoption for 12/15/09….

Attached to item 45 is a staff report, which includes the following:

The CEO recommends repealing Ordinance 07-008 … thereby returning Public Guardian (PG) to an appointed position, reporting to the CEO….

The [Public Guardian] was an appointed position until County Ordinance 07-008 was adopted, when the Board designated the Public Administrator as the Ex Officio Public Guardian.

On March 11, 2003, the Board of Supervisors appointed the newly elected PA to the additional office of Public Guardian of the County of Orange, and moved the PA/PG department from the Community Services Agency (CSA) to the Health Care Agency (HCA).

On May 3, 2005, The Board of Supervisors approved the separation of the office of the Public Administrator/Public Guardian from HCA and established it as a separate department. This action was taken primarily to realize significant cost savings.

On May 22, 2007, The Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 07-008 …, which made the elected Public Administrator the ex officio Public Guardian….

...The recommended actions would again give the Board of Supervisors the discretion to make the appointment of the PG.

The CEO recommends repealing Ordinance 07-008 … thereby returning Public Guardian (PG) to an appointed position, reporting to the CEO. This would improve management oversight and collaboration with the department and CEO, including budget and reserves, policies and procedures and human resources. This action does not affect the elected Public Administrator (PA) position. … The only substantive operational change will be to have the CEO provide support and oversight for the PG activities.

The CEO recommends these actions based on a number of factors. The PA/PG has been the subject of an unprecedented two Grand Jury reports this year. The first, “Guardian of Last Resort,” published May 6, 2009 raised significant concerns about personnel classifications, management growth, the replacement IT system and financial accountability. The second Grand Jury report, “Supplemental Guardian of Last Resort” published on June 30, 2009 re-emphasizes many of the same concerns. While many of the Grand Jury issues have been corrected or explained, there is more to be done.

Additionally, PA/PG is facing significant budget challenges, as the revenue streams are projected to be lower than expected because of economic conditions (i.e. interest and estate fees)….

PA/PG has also experienced significant issues with their new IT replacement system. Deadlines have been missed, and PA/PG agrees with CEO IT that a new vendor could be needed. Since this project will be lead by CEO IT, having CEO oversight for Public Guardian will provide better oversight and increased assurance of timely success.

This new reporting relationship will enhance accountability of the department and services to the clients of Orange County.

This action is timed to be effective prior to the filing for the June 2010 election. The second reading for this action must be completed prior to January 15, in order to be effective prior to the commencement of the declaration of candidacy by the Registrar of Voters for the June 2010 election, which is February 15, 2010. Anyone seeking to run for Public Administrator will know that the additional appointment as Public Guardian will be appointed at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors.

The determination of the split between the PA and PG salaries is based on past practice and estimated workload. Until 2007, the PAPG was budgeted separately at a split of approximately 25% for the elected Public Administrator and 75% for the appointed Public Guardian....