THOUSAND OAKS : Plan Would Raise City Landscape Fees

Keeping Thousand Oaks green and tidy would become more expensive next year for some residents and business owners under a city proposal to hike most landscape maintenance fees.

Homeowners in the city’s landscape assessment district, which includes 11,138 lots throughout Thousand Oaks, would see their average fees jump nearly 20%, according to a report set for council consideration Tuesday. The levy would increase to $154.36 a year.

But car dealers in the Auto Mall would see a far more dramatic hike. Under the proposal, their fee would more than double to nearly $2,890 annually.

“Get out!” Susan Mejia, treasurer of the Auto Mall Assn., said after hearing of the proposal. “Obviously, I’m opposed to that. I think the city already gets enough money out of us from sales tax dollars.”

Mayor Elois Zeanah also expressed disbelief at the suggested levies. Although city staff members indicated that landscaping costs have soared, due in part to higher water and electricity prices, Zeanah said she considered the 20% residential fee hike unjustified.

“Our management staff continues to put forward to the council fee increase proposals across-the-board, and that really concerns me,” she said. “We have had a historic increase in sales tax intake for two years, even in the face of the recession.”

So, Zeanah added, the city should find other means to fund landscaping.

Councilman Frank Schillo, however, sided with the Public Works Department in supporting the new levy. Because the costs are spread out among thousands of homeowners, he said the assessment district remains a fair way of paying for landscaping.

Council members will not vote on the fee hike Tuesday night. Instead, they will discuss the recommendations and set a date for a public hearing later this spring.