Orange County Finishes Year 2023 With $49 Million Surplus

Orange County ended the past year with a $49 million surplus in its coffer, according to audited year-end financials presented at the latest Ways and Means legislative meeting. The bulk of it originated from lower-than-budgeted hirings and higher-than-expected interest earnings, with each chipping in $20 and $8.5 million to the surplus, respectively. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus told The Epoch Times on July 25 that he has put in place a plan to utilize the growing surplus, which covers information technology infrastructure, public safety, office spaces, parks and open space, roads, and the county-run nursing home. Like any plan, it is a working document and subject to changes as new needs arise, he added....