Four Named to Panel Overseeing Cigarette-Tax Revenue

Orange County supervisors Tuesday appointed four people to sit on a county commission that will oversee the millions raised by a voter-approved cigarette tax--and has the potential to be one of the most powerful entities in the county.

Appointed were Crystal Kochendorfer, a member of the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees; Hugh Hewitt, an attorney and television co-host; Kimberly Chavez-Cripe, president of Children’s Hospital of Orange County; and Dr. Maria Minon, vice president of medical affairs for Children’s Hospital.

The four will join three members from county government: Board Chairman Charles V. Smith, county Health Care Director Don Oxley and Social Services Agency Director Larry Leaman. Appointments to two at-large positions will be made at the supervisors’ Aug. 3 meeting.

Proposition 10 is the voter-approved initiative that imposes a cigarette tax of 50 cents per pack and calls for spending the funds on childhood development programs.

In the first year, about $690 million is expected to be raised statewide. Orange County’s share is estimated at $50 million, which is more than the county allocates to its Health Care Agency.

Sixty-six candidates from community-based organizations, the child care field, education and the medical community have applied for the positions.

Already, $606,000 has been put into a special account to establish the local commission. Funds may also be used to hire a consultant to help guide panel members through a 12-month planning process.