Soccer’s Supermajority Problem in Orange County

As Orange County Commissioners begin weighing in on a soccer stadium proposal by Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Mayor Buddy Dyer, Major League Soccer has yet another hurdle to jump: a supermajority vote is needed at the County.

Mayor Jacobs’ staff confirmed this week that the procedure to re-open the Interlocal Agreement and add another stadium to the venues will require a supermajority vote by the Board of County Commissioners. That means Jacobs needs five votes, not just four.

With at least three commissioners (Clarke, Brummer and Edwards) currently standing up to this corporate welfare project that will gentrify historic Parramore, the public can see why Jacobs hasn’t announced a public hearing or scheduled a vote yet. Other commissioners still remain on the fence and many have said openly this is far from a done deal.

And one thing the Commissioners want is more information, actual data and facts. Something Mayor Jacobs, Mayor Dyer and the soccer team haven’t adequately provided to vet this proposal properly. It is starting to look like a long road ahead for this insider deal the Mayors tried to push through quickly. Stay tuned.