Race Relations Commission Is in Jeopardy : Bankruptcy: Stanton’s proposal would strip county funds from agency that monitors prejudice, mediates disputes.

The 24-year-old Orange County Human Relations Commission, which targets prejudice, intolerance and discrimination in the county, may dissolve under a proposal by Supervisor Roger Stanton’s office to end its funding.

“It’s a real blow to us,” said commission Chairman Ken Inouye, who plans to be at the supervisors’ meeting Tuesday when the proposal is heard.

Barbara Brown, a spokeswoman for Stanton, said the county’s bankruptcy forces all costs to be scrutinized.

“Roger and all the supervisors are looking at everything,” Brown said. “We are in bankruptcy. We need to look at everything during the budget sessions. Any decisions will be made based on priorities and needs.”

At issue is more than $200,000 that pays for the executive director’s salary, operating expenses, and the commission’s programs. Another $140,000 has been raised by the commission’s fund-raising arm, the Orange County Human Relations Council, a private, nonprofit organization that helps pay the salaries of three staff members.

The commission monitors race relations, works with law enforcement, annually reports on hate crimes and serves as an advisory agency for county government, cities, law enforcement and public schools. It also helps resolve neighborhood, domestic and landlord-tenant disputes, among others.

Through its nonprofit corporation, the commission has started the School Inter-Ethnic Relations Program, which promotes racial harmony in Orange County’s public schools.

“Even though there is a cost associated with providing these services,” Inouye said, “There’s an increasing need for these services and a demand. We’re filling a big need in the community.”

Commissioner Becky Esparza said that terminating funding would cost the county more in the long run.

“In reality, the amount we save the county is 10 times the amount it spends on the commission,” she said. “This commission works with police departments across the county, and school districts too. Through the years, we’ve been able to intercede saving the Board of Supervisors from having to answer or respond to all these calls about hate crimes.”