Antelope Valley Voters to Get a Say on Solving Flood Problem

Antelope Valley residents, some still mopping up from the region’s worst rain-induced flood in recent memory, will get a chance to vote June 2 on what steps they think feuding government officials should take to solve the problem.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an advisory measure that will ask all Antelope Valley voters to pick from among three general flood control options. The Lancaster City Council on Monday night authorized a separate ballot measure to impose a flood control tax on city property owners.

The dual measures reflect the renewed pressure to find solutions to the region’s flooding problems after last month’s deluge. Thus far, however, even the government agencies involved are divided on how to proceed, and voters previously have balked at paying for such projects.

The Antelope Valley was not included in the county’s flood control district because the region was mostly farmland when the district was formed in 1915. County officials estimate that a unified flood system for the high desert could cost $800 million. Lancaster officials say city projects could total $100 million.

The county measure, also to appear on the ballot in Lancaster, will ask high desert voters whether they prefer a separate flood control district for the region, the county extending its district to the valley, or no change at all. The county measure, strictly advisory, provides no funding for any projects.

Lancaster’s measure, meanwhile, would impose an annual tax on every piece of property in the city, such as $25 in the first year for every house or $500 for an undeveloped 40-acre parcel. The measure requires a majority vote for passage and would fund specified flood control projects.

The twin measures mirror an underlying disagreement over solving the flooding problem. Thus far, county and Palmdale officials prefer to work together. But Lancaster officials want to move ahead on their own. And officials on both sides acknowledged that the twin measures could confuse voters.

Lancaster officials said their measure, if adopted by voters, would begin providing money almost immediately--an estimated $2.1 million in the first year--to fund projects. They complain that the county’s approach is too slow and lacks specifics on projects and funding.

But even Lancaster officials are divided over their plan’s chance of success. Mayor Henry Hearns and Councilman Bill Pursley said the recent flooding might help persuade voters. But Councilman Arnie Rodio said the measure could fail, as did a November, 1985, city plan to charge households $50 annually.

Meanwhile, Lancaster officials also are talking about suing Palmdale for the collapse last month of a huge Lancaster-built flood basin that sent water through the unincorporated Quartz Hill area. Lancaster officials blame runoff from nearby developments in Palmdale, which that city denies.