Moving an anticipated site of a new Amador County Jail, supervisors Tuesday resolved to pay $1.81 million for 201 oak-studded acres overlooking State Route 88 in Martell that once was slated for a 700-dwelling-unit "bedroom community" subdivision.

Seller Umpqua Bank foreclosed on mortgagee developer John Lemke and, as sole bidder at a trustee's sale, took the land Sept. 15. County negotiations with Umpqua began immediately.

Amador had been expected to buy a nearby Martell tract owned by Sierra Pacific Industries. Other properties were considered as well.

"The Wicklow Way property proves to be a more valuable and cost-effective venture for future planning needs," said Terri Daly, county administrative officer.

Although County Assessor has said the property's current assessed value of $4,499,128 is "artificially high," Amador will pay only a few hundred thousand dollars more than the minimum bid for which Umpqua took it - some $1.48 million.