Countywide : 10 Cities to Appeal County’s Jail Fees

The 10 cities in Ventura County will join cities across the state to appeal a court ruling that permitted counties to continue charging cities a processing fee for every prisoner booked into county jails.

Cities across Ventura County have refused to pay the $120 jail booking fees since they were imposed in July, 1990. And, in retaliation, county officials have withheld more than $5.8 million in property taxes due to the cities.

In March, a Sacramento Superior Court judge ruled that the jail booking fees did not violate the state Constitution and allowed counties to collect the fees retroactive to July, 1990.

“We have all agreed to appeal the last ruling,” said Camarillo City Manager Bill Little, a member of the administrative committee representing the 10 cities in Ventura County.

The administrative committee collected funds from the cities last year to pay some of the legal costs associated with the initial court challenge of the jail booking fees, Little said.

The appeal could cost each city up to $500 more, said attorney Robert Flandrick, who represents the 10 cities.

On Tuesday, the Ojai City Council voted to contribute $500 to the appeal.

The Oxnard City Council will decide at its next meeting whether to contribute funds to the appeal as well, said City Manager Vern Hazen.

Other cities in the county are also expected to discuss the appeal at upcoming city council meetings, Little said.