CAMARILLO : City Council OKs Higher Fees, Fines

The Camarillo City Council on Wednesday approved fee hikes for water and Planning Department services, as well as higher fines for parking violations. The increases are scheduled to take effect July 1.

The increase in water fees, which will raise most monthly residential bills from $21.60 to $23.70, applies only to residents living west of Calleguas Creek--the area served by the city water department.

Parking fines will increase from $30 to $35 for most violations, such as parking in an alley or next to a red curb. For parking in a space reserved for handicapped people, the fines will jump from $105 to $280. City officials said the higher fines are in line with what other cities charge for parking violations.

For planning services, most fees will rise 5%, which city officials said reflects the increased operating costs in the Planning Department.

The cost for appealing a Planning Commission decision to the City Council will rise from $200 to $210, while the price for getting a land parcel map will go from $2,000 to $2,100.