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August 2008
In This Issue:
Adopt a Pet During the Dog Days of Summer Throughout the summer, more animals arrive at the OC Animal Care Center in need of loving homes than any other time of year. To reach residents who are unable to visit the OC Animal Care Center in Orange, a Mobile Adoption Vehicle moves throughout the area, carrying up to nine animals that are available for on-the-spot adoption. Specialists with the Mobile Adoption Vehicle distribute information about the adoption process and responsible pet ownership. There are many ways to help animals in need, including volunteer opportunities at the OC Animal Care Center. To learn about becoming a volunteer dog walker, cat companion, mobile adoption assistant, bather, groomer or foster caretaker, call (714) 935-6194.
Changes for Catastrophic Leave Donation Program New changes went into effect for the County’s Catastrophic Leave Donation Program on July 4. The donation program was established in 1994 and has not implemented changes since its establishment. At the same time the County was scheduled to begin a review of the program, some issues were identified with IRS guidelines for leave sharing plans. Together, staff from Human Resources, Auditor-Controller’s Office and other agencies worked with the labor groups to redesign the program. The results have brought the program into compliance with various IRS regulations and improved the program’s consistency and administration. Employees may request catastrophic leave donations under the following guidelines:
Employees who wish to donate leave may now do so under the following guidelines:
The changes bring our program into compliance with IRS guidelines and allow for the continuation of the program for employees who need it – while minimizing potential tax consequences to donors. Details related to the program changes, including new policies and procedures, training materials and updated forms can be accessed on the HR web site (http://www.oc.ca.gov/hr/hrportal/login.asp) or on the Claims and Disbursing Intranet site under Reference Information (http://ocintranet.ocgov.com/). Staff from Human Resources and the Auditor-Controller’s Office will closely monitor the new program during this transition period. If you have any questions, please contact your agency or department Human Resources or send a message to askdisbursing@ac.gov.com.
Modjeska Exhibition Opens at Old Orange County Courthouse An exhibition featuring photographs and artifacts based on the life of legendary actress Helena Modjeska opens Aug. 7 at the Old Orange County Courthouse Museum. The exhibition, “All the World’s a Stage: Modjeska’s Arden,” offers a look into the world of the renowned 19th century Shakespearean actress and the ranch estate she named Arden. Named after the forest setting of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Arden is located in the Santa Ana Mountains and is a designated National Historical Landmark and one of the best known homes in California. OC Parks welcomes the public to attend the exhibition’s opening reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 7. For more information, please contact Old Courthouse Museum Curator Marshall Duell at (714) 973-6607 or marshall.duell@rdmd.ocgov.com.
County Workers “Say Cheese!” at the OC Fair Cheese took center stage at the 2008 OC Fair, where among the food, rides and exhibits were Ask-The-Cheese experts and a celebrity cheese sculptor. Representatives from 15 County programs staffed information booths from July 11 – Aug. 3 to discuss the many services the County provides to the community. Included were employees and volunteers from Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, OC Community Resources, Health Care Agency, John Wayne Airport, Probation, Registrar of Voters, Sheriff-Coroner, Social Services Agency, Treasurer-Tax Collector and OC Waste & Recycling. Ribbons were awarded to County booths in the OC building for the Government Agency competition. The Sheriff’s Department took home the Best of Show title as well as the second place ribbon for theme. Probation placed second for the overall government agency and third in theme..
New Area Code Will Change Dialing Patterns A new area code has been created to meet the demand of available telephone numbers. The new 657 area code will serve residents and workers in the same geographic region as the current 714 area code. Beginning Aug. 23, all calls made to or within the 714 area code must be dialed using a new phone pattern: 1 + (AREA CODE) + PHONE NUMBER. For example, if you are in the 714 area code and also placing a call to the 714 area code, you must dial 1 + (714) + PHONE NUMBER. Also beginning Aug. 23, all County-related calls and faxes made to or within the 714 area code must be dialed using the new phone pattern from 9 + 1 + (AREA CODE) + FAX NUMBER. Speed dial numbers, call lists and autodial keys on County fax machines and telephones must be programmed with the new dialing format prior to Aug. 23 to continue functioning properly. On Sept. 23, new telephone lines will be assigned numbers with a 657 area code. All calls dialed within the 657 area code must also be dialed using the new pattern. For example, if you are in the 657 area code and also placing a call to the 657 area code, you must dial 1 + (657) + PHONE NUMBER. Please contact your Telephone Services Specialist or call (714) 834-4622 if you have questions.
County Employees Raise Money for Kidney Donor County family came together to support the kidney donor of a longtime OC Public Works employee by donating more than $1,000 to help pay for expenses related to her surgery. To help cover the cost of the donor’s meals, transportation, and hotel stay, staff from OC Public Works and the County Executive Office were invited to purchase a bagged lunch at the cost of $10. Many opted to forgo the lunch and contributed various amounts from $10 - $100 after signing a Get Well card for the recipient and a thank you card for the donor. “My donor gave unselfishly of herself,” said the OC Public Works employee. “There are no words to truly thank someone for that. I intend to take the best possible care of the gift she gave me.” The July 16 kidney transplant was a success and the both the donor and employee are recovering well..
OC Public Works Hosts Real Estate Group Meeting OC Public Works Real Estate Services and Corporate Real Estate divisions hosted the semi-annual meeting of the California Counties Real Estate Group at the Newport Harbor Sheriff’s Station last May. Representatives of 13 counties came together to discuss current real estate matters characteristic to county governments. Carolee Condon of Real Estate Services discussed the implementation of policies and procedures necessary to achieve compliance with recent changes in condemnation law. Chief Appraiser Richard Edmond focused on the responsibility of government entities in establishing fair compensation for acquisitions under the threat of eminent domain. James Campbell of Corporate Real Estate gave a presentation about the entitlement process from the perspective of a public agency and Deputy County Counsel Mat Miller led a discussion of possessory interests.
Commuter Assistance Program County Family, The significant increases in fuel costs have caused difficulties for employees who commute to work. As a result, many commuters have looked at alternative modes of transportation offered through the Commuter Assistance Program (CAP). The low-cost alternatives and incentives provided by the County are available to all employees. Incentives for joining CAP include:
Sincerely, Thomas G. Mauk
Child Support Services
To get more of the 411, visit: http://papg.ocgov.com/public/
July Awards 25 Years Sandra Barnes Lupe Moreno Catherine Smith Kevin Smith Delia Arreola Thomas Schimke Le Lonnie Sylvester Beverly Barrington Margaret Longenecker Margaret Gallegos Mozelle Taylor Eve Maram Jeannie Gentry Ingril Harita Allen Menendez 20 Years Augustine Stewart Van Tuyet Tran Salvador Zamarripa Barbara Smith Fabian Bruno Carolyn Crick Magali Bustamante Rosa Orozco Ramona Figueroa Howard Newton Maria Barreto Mary Mcdermid Mary Palomo Christopher Beuler Jacqueline Parker Melanie San Jose Daniel Hoffman Jill Osuna Michael Sharpe Alberto Gorrin Jerald Van Wyke Linda Motley Connie Weinman Marianne Zickrick Susan Kelsey Jean Smith Crystal Nguyen Leticia Scheuermann Arlyn Buck Sylvia Foster Dawn Blank Ngoc Tran Nhan Dang Lieu Bui Kathy Kilar Wilfred Niemann Maxine Jackson Mike Sansky Seyed Sobhani Manuel Correa |
