Orange County Signals Intent to Join Tax Revolt

The Orange County Board of Supervisors intends to join a growing tax revolt among local governments by defying Gov. Pete Wilson’s proposed shift of property taxes from local governments to public schools, board Chairman Harriett M. Wieder said Monday.

The board is scheduled to approve a resolution today under which it would refuse to turn over an estimated $59 million if the state makes good on its threat to snatch property tax revenue from the state’s 58 counties.

The action would add Orange County to a list of 45 counties organizing what amounts to a tax revolt.

“We really feel enough is enough,” Wieder said. The proposed shift “will be absolutely devastating to the county.”

The resolution before the supervisors instructs county officials “to ignore any action the state Legislature may take to raid local property taxes,” Wieder said Monday.

If the resolution passes, the county’s treasurer-tax collector and auditor-controller will be ordered to “collect and allocate local property tax monies on the same basis as last year.”

Similar resolutions and ordinances have been adopted by virtually every urban California county, including Los Angeles County.

“We’re really testing issues that haven’t been tested before,” county budget director Ronald S. Rubino said.

Orange County officials said the matter probably will have to be resolved in the courts. The California attorney general’s office declined comment, saying that it may have to represent the state if the matter goes to court.

The issue will not be tested unless Wilson and the Legislature go through with the governor’s proposed shift of property taxes, officials said.

Dan Schnur, Wilson’s press secretary, said it would be illegal for the county to withhold property taxes from the state if legislation is enacted requiring the transfer.