4 Cities, County Propose Projects to Be Funded by Jail Tax Initiative : Crime: Regional Justice Facilities Commission would determine how to spend Measure J money.

The city of Brea wants to build a Youth Services Bureau to work with juvenile offenders, and the police chief wants to locate the bureau within a new community center still in the planning stages.

The city of Santa Ana wants a new 240-cell jail to help ease overcrowding at the County Jail, where the city’s police now book an average of 65 people daily.

Those were just two of the five proposals submitted Wednesday to the Orange County Regional Justice Facilities Commission, which will determine how to spend money from Measure J, the half-cent sales tax initiative on the May 14 ballot.

If voters approve Measure J, the commission, an independent agency chaired by County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, will adopt a master plan detailing how to spend revenue. Measure J, a 30-year levy, would increase the county’s sales tax to 7%. It would raise an average of $134 million annually, according to one study.

At the commission’s meeting Wednesday, four cities and the county submitted proposals for projects that deal with criminal justice.

The commission had asked for letters of intent from all the cities and the county by May 1, but officials have said they will consider other proposals turned in even after the election.

Huntington Beach wants to expand its city jail by 36 beds--28 for men and eight for women--and wants to build a shelter for runaway youths, according to a letter from Mayor Peter M. Green.

Irvine wants a South County Crime Analysis Unit so that police in the southern part of the county can have their crime evidence analyzed closer to home, saving them time and money. Irvine Mayor Sally Anne Sheridan also proposed expansion of the Municipal Court facilities in Newport Beach and expansion of a youth shelter in Laguna Beach.

In Santa Ana’s proposal, although it was not stated, the city could save an estimated $3 million to $4 million a year in jail booking fees if a city jail was built. Beginning July 1, the county will charge cities $154 for each prisoner booked into the county jail system.

The county submitted its proposal to build a 6,700-bed regional jail in Gypsum Canyon, near Anaheim Hills. It is the jail issue that has received the most attention in the Measure J campaign.

Sheriff Brad Gates, who is responsible for placing Measure J on the ballot, has campaigned heavily for Measure J because the county jail system is severely overcrowded.

But the Gypsum Canyon jail probably would not be the only project to receive funds, if voters approve Measure J.

Brea Police Chief D.L. Forkus said the additional revenue for some “diversion facilities,” such as the one he is proposing, would in the long run help ease jail overcrowding because young offenders would be treated before they become hardened by the jail experience.

A new community center has been planned to go up near the Brea Civic Center and will provide a variety of family and recreational services. Forkus wants to set aside space to serve youths in trouble. The space would be used by juvenile probation officers, social service workers, officers and private counselors working with the youths.

“The concept is not new,” he said. “It was used in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but federal funds dried up. So we are, in effect, resurrecting that concept.

“If you have alternative places to put people rather than burdening the jail or probation system, you reduce the need for regional justice facilities,” he said.