Message From The CAO

Ebony N. Shelton

Chief Administrative Officer

COMMUNITY IN ACTION

Thank you for taking the time to look at this year's annual report. It highlights what we have been able to accomplish together over the past year - a reflection of our community in action.

I took the position of the County’s Chief Administrative Officer a few months ago but I am no stranger to the County.

My time with the County began in 1997 and, since then, I’ve seen County government grow in many dynamic ways. There has been one constant in all these years—the consistent focus on how to better serve the public.

This last fiscal year was no different.

"In coming together, we achieved more than any of us could alone. That is what we mean by community in action , and we continue to build those partnerships and relations to reach and support all of our residents."

We made inroads on issues that affect our most vulnerable residents, issues that include behavioral health, affordable housing and homelessness.

We continued to advance justice reform to keep people from entering or reentering our jails. We strengthened our law enforcement and fire prevention efforts.

Construction began on a new state-of-the-art public health lab that will soon serve the entire region. And the County moved forward in fighting climate change.

More than 1 million residents in the region received essential services through CalWORKs, Medi-Cal and CalFresh. And work crews continued to fix roads, build parks and improve libraries.

Equity took center stage and gave more residents a chance at health, housing and economic opportunities.

In fact, equity is one of the County’s core values – along with belonging, access, sustainability, integrity and excellence.

You will note that I say "we" many times in this message. Know that "we" includes you. Many of the accomplishments celebrated in this report came thanks to you—our residents, communities and partners.

In coming together, we achieved more than any of us could alone. That is what we mean by community in action. We will continue to build those partnerships so we can reach out to and support all of our residents.

That unity, and the collective impact it brings, is making a difference in the lives of people throughout the region and positions us to deal with any challenges that may come our way.

As the County’s new Chief Administrative Officer, I look forward to our continued collaboration as we work to build the future. In the meantime, I invite you to learn more about our achievements this past year. We did it together, and I assure you, you can be proud.