Orange County Board reports multiple closed‑session settlements, delegates authority and authorizes appeal

The Orange County Board of Supervisors, during a closed‑session report at a meeting, announced approvals of multiple settlements, delegated settlement authority in an employment matter and authorized an appeal of a court order related to a ground‑lease termination.

The board reported four separate settlement approvals and one delegation of authority. The largest was a global $2.4 million settlement of claims tied to the September 2024 airport fire; other approvals included a $369,323.48 interest payment tied to a flowage‑easement settlement, a $364,983.80 workers’ compensation settlement and a $90,000 vehicle‑collision settlement. The board also delegated limited settlement authority to risk management and outside counsel in Dahlia Rodriguez v. County of Orange. The totals reported in the closed‑session announcement sum to about $3.22 million in specified amounts; each approval was said to remain subject to final approvals by others.

Votes at a glance • SCS 1 — Orange County Flood Control District v. Fisher Scientific Company, LLC: approved payment of $369,323.48 in interest (funds from Fund 404 reserve); vote reported as 4–0, Supervisor Wagner absent. County Counsel authorized to execute settlement documents; final approvals still required. • SCS 2 — David Costanan v. County of Orange: approved proposed $90,000 settlement for injuries and property damage alleged after a collision involving an on‑duty Orange County Sheriff's Department investigator; vote reported as 4–0, Supervisor Wagner absent. Copies to be available through the Office of County Risk Management when finalized. • SCS 3 — Global settlement arising from September 2024 airport fire: approved $2,400,000 global settlement covering claims by multiple named claimants for property, smoke and ash damage; vote reported as 4–0, Supervisor Wagner absent. Settlement remains subject to final approvals. • SES 4 — Continued to May 20, 2025 (no vote recorded in the public report). • SCS 5 — Dahlia Rodriguez v. County of Orange (employment matter): board delegated limited settlement authority to risk management and outside counsel; vote reported as 4–0, Supervisor Wagner absent. Rodriguez is described in the report as a former eligibility technician who alleges retaliation, discrimination and failure to accommodate disabilities. • SCS 6 — Alba Fierro v. County of Orange (workers’ compensation): approved proposed settlement of $364,983.80; vote reported as 4–0, Supervisor Wagner absent. The claimant alleges work‑related spinal, shoulder, arm and hand injuries. • SCS 7 — Mind OC v. County of Orange: the board authorized and directed County Counsel to appeal the partial grant of a preliminary injunction related to termination of the ground lease at 265 South Anita Drive, Orange, California; vote reported as 4–0, Supervisor Wagner absent.

The board’s public announcement repeatedly stated the reported approvals remain subject to final approvals by other entities and that finalized settlement agreements will be available through the Office of County Risk Management or the Office of County Counsel for those who inquire. The meeting notice indicated the next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m., and the meeting was then adjourned.

The closed‑session report did not provide additional details about the terms of any settlement beyond amounts and the board’s authorization; it also did not identify who moved or seconded the motions in the public report. Copies of finalized agreements and any subsequent public filings are expected to provide more detail.