Orange County Board of Supervisors approves multiple settlements and directs appeal in lease dispute

A staff member reported that the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a series of settlements and related actions during closed session, including interest payments tied to a $5,000,000 acquisition settlement and a $2.4 million global settlement of fire-related claims.

The actions were announced during the closed-session disclosure under Government Code section 54956.9. The staff member said, "the board approved a proposed settlement involving the interest owed to the defendant on a $5,000,000 settlement," and that the board authorized County Counsel and outside counsel to execute documents necessary to complete that settlement, with interest of $369,323.48 to be paid from the fund 404 reserve account.

Why it matters: Those approvals disclose potential county liabilities and the board’s near-term legal and financial commitments. Several of the approvals are described as "subject to final approval of others," signaling outstanding administrative steps before payments or agreements are final.

Details of key actions A staff member reported a $90,000 proposed settlement in David Costanan v. County of Orange for injuries and vehicle damage after the plaintiff’s car was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by an on-duty Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigator. The staff member said copies of that settlement will be made available through CEO Risk Management when finalized.

The board approved a global $2,400,000 settlement resolving claims by multiple plaintiffs (named as Ball, Ballou, Kanter Marlin, Detal, Fowler Woody, Hernandez, Ivy, Carsten and Stone) for losses cited as damage or destruction of homes, trees, landscaping and personal property, as well as smoke and ash-related claims stemming from the September 20, 2024 airport fire. That settlement, too, was reported as subject to final approval.

The board delegated limited settlement authority to Risk Management and outside counsel to resolve the employment case of Dahlia Rodriguez, who the staff member said had generally claimed retaliation, discrimination and a failure to accommodate disabilities. The staff member said the action was approved on a 4–0 vote with Supervisor Wagner absent.

A proposed $364,983.80 workers’ compensation settlement in Alba Fierro v. County of Orange was also reported approved; the claimant, described as a retired eligibility technician, alleged work-related injuries to the spine, shoulder, arms and hands. The staff member said copies of the finalized agreement will be available via CEO Risk Management.

On a separate matter, the board authorized and directed County Counsel to appeal a partial grant of a preliminary injunction in Mind OC v. County of Orange concerning the termination of a ground lease at 265 South Anita Drive in the City of Orange and provided further direction on that appeal.

Votes and next steps The staff member reported that most disclosed actions were approved on recorded votes of 4–0 with Supervisor Wagner absent. Multiple approvals were described as "subject to the final approval of others," and the staff member said finalized copies of settlement agreements would be available through the office of CEO Risk Management or County Counsel on request.

The meeting transcript did not specify the date of this session. The chair closed the meeting and announced that the next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m., then adjourned.