LOS ALAMITOS : Plan to Take Control of Street Lights OKd

The city will take over responsibility for all the street lights within its boundaries from the County of Orange under a plan approved by the City Council last week.

The transfer of economic and administrative responsibility to the city could result in a projected $43,000 profit in the first year, Public Services Director Jerry Andersen told the council.

This is because the city will receive an estimated $114,000 in property tax revenue currently paid to the county from a portion of the tax set aside for street light assessments, while the utility and maintenance costs will be an estimated $71,000.

“The revenue (from property taxes) has a history of exceeding the cost,” Andersen said.

The transfer of responsibility was proposed by the Orange County Street Lighting Assessment District. The proposal will now go to the County Board of Supervisors for final approval sometime this month.

Under the plan, the city will assume responsibility on July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.

Southern California Edison Co. will continue to maintain the street lights, according to Andersen, and the city will pay the electric company a set fee for each street light.