Local News in Brief : Supervisors to Seek Repeal of Aid for Cities

The County Supervisors Assn. of California announced in Sacramento Monday that it would seek to repeal a law, which takes effect next year, to provide aid to four cities in Ventura County and two in the San Fernando Valley area that levy little or no property tax.

The lobbying group said that the Legislature in September hastily inserted the aid package into a bill to shift the burden of court funding from counties to the state.

At a news conference, Larry Naake, the association’s executive director, complained that Thousand Oaks, with an estimated $25-million budget surplus, would receive $4.4 million a year from the county when the law is fully implemented in 10 years.

“It’s ludicrous that rich cities are taking money away from financially strapped counties” such as Ventura, Naake said. Further, he maintained, “Cities aren’t tested for need under the plan, which enables rich cities to get richer.”

According to legislative estimates, Simi Valley would receive $4.4 million, Camarillo, $2.5 million, and Moorpark, $304,660 annually when the law takes full effect in the 1997-98 fiscal year. In the Valley area, Agoura Hills eventually stands to gain $441,000 a year and Westlake Village $258,000.

Next year, the four cities in Ventura County will share $248,500. The total is to increase to $10.7 million in 1997-98 fiscal year for Ventura County.

Agoura Hills and Westlake Village will not receive any money until fiscal 1994-95. At that time, Agoura Hills will receive $49,000 and Westlake Village will receive $43,000 under current estimates.