Orange Mayor Assails County’s Court Fight to Expand Branch Jail

Orange Mayor Don E. Smith complained Wednesday that county supervisors have ignored his offer to negotiate an agreement to expand a branch jail and, instead, have wasted money by pursuing the issue in court.

“I am shocked that our efforts are being undermined by these unnecessary, time-consuming and costly legal maneuvers,” Smith said in a statement. “The series of motions filed by the county have sent us a clear message--that the county is not interested in a settlement agreement.”

The county is planning to expand its jail on The City Drive in Orange from about 622 beds to 1,326. The $45-million construction had already started when a judge issued an injunction May 10 against the project.

The county and city are at odds over how the project will affect Orange’s plan to extend Metropolitan Drive, and over the sheriff’s authority in deciding the number and types of prisoners to be housed at the facility.

Hours after Smith’s statement was issued, Supervisor Don R. Roth said he and Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez would meet with Smith in the next few days.

Roth had worked for weeks at negotiating with Smith to reach a settlement for the expansion of Theo Lacey Branch Jail, at 501 The City Drive in Orange. He was singled out for praise in Smith’s statement.

Roth, whose district includes the jail, proposed a settlement to the supervisors in a closed session last month, but it was rejected. That ended the negotiations.

Meanwhile, the county unsuccessfully appealed the court injunction won by Orange that prohibits it from proceeding with construction at the jail.

Roth said Wednesday that he understood Smith’s frustration with the board, but he is no longer as optimistic about a settlement. He also said that the supervisors’ time had been dominated recently by other issues, such as the decision on selling property to Anaheim for a sports arena.

“I was optimistic three weeks ago after I tried my best to put (a settlement) together after many, many, many meetings with Don,” Roth said. “But the board didn’t accept it.

“We’re going to . . . re-talk the same issues, but I’m not sure there is any room to compromise,” he said. “I’m optimistic by nature, but this time I’m a little pessimistic.”

Smith said, however, that he believes it is possible to reach a settlement.

“I sincerely believe that,” he said. “It’s important to us. It costs a lot of money to go to court (and) we both represent the same people.”