Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, R-Dana Point, has been named 2020 president of the California State Association of Counties.
CSAC celebrated its 125th anniversary at the conference earlier this month of representing the state’s 58 counties in its work with the Legislature, administrative agencies and the federal government.
The selection of Bartlett, who was named at the association’s annual conference in San Francisco, marks the first time in 70 years that someone from Orange County has taken the helm, according to Michelle Steel, Orange County Board of Supervisors vice chair, R-Seal Beach. Bartlett replaces Humboldt County Supervisor Virginia Bass as president.
“I am truly humbled and honored to serve as the 2020 CSAC president,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett said she looks forward to working with her fellow officers to tackle the critical issues every county is facing including homelessness, mental health services, and court security. Her plan is to build deeper relationships between the urban, suburban and rural caucuses to find common ground, enabling counties to work together as a cohesive team, she said.
The first vice president and second vice president seats will be filled by Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore and Siskiyou County Supervisor Ed Valenzuela, respectively.
Bartlett was CSAC’s first vice president in 2019 and second vice president in 2018. She has also served on its board of directors, executive committee and as co-vice chair of both the Homelessness Action Team and the Housing, Land Use and Transportation Policy Committee.
"I was privileged to be able to attend Chairwoman Bartlett's swearing-in ceremony," said Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee, D-Anaheim. "The Orange County Board of Supervisors and I are proud of Chairwoman Bartlett and know firsthand that she will do amazing things as the 2020 CSAC president."
The association says its long-term objective is to significantly improve the fiscal health of all California counties so they can adequately meet the demand for vital public programs and services. The state represents diverse counties with populations varying widely from Alpine with 1,200 people to Los Angeles with more than 10 million.
Graham Knaus, CSAC's executive director, called 2019 a challenging, yet successful year, while predicting more of the same in 2020.
“As we celebrate 125 years as an association dedicated to county government, I look forward to supporting and working together with our officers to connect California’s communities," Knaus said.
