THOUSAND OAKS : County Delays Funds to Improve Road

Agreeing to first investigate a complaint from the city of Thousand Oaks, Ventura County supervisors postponed Tuesday spending $400,000 to improve a section of Moorpark Road located outside the city limits.

Thousand Oaks officials have complained to the county that the money was initially earmarked for improvements to a portion of the roadway located within the city’s boundaries.

Supervisor Frank Schillo, whose district includes Thousand Oaks, asked for the expenditure to be delayed two weeks so that he and Supervisor Judy Mikels can meet with county and city officials to try and resolve the dispute.

The county is proposing to use the money to improve the section of Moorpark Road that lies between Santa Rosa and Tierra Rejada roads--outside the city limits. That area is represented by Mikels.

But Thousand Oaks officials have argued the $400,000 was specifically set aside for widening and other improvements along a section of the road known as the Norwegian Grade. The portion of the road extends from Olsen to Santa Rosa roads.

William Britt, county deputy director of public works, said the money was never earmarked for a particular project.

Moreover, Britt said, the section of roadway the county is proposing to repair is more in need of improvement than the Norwegian Grade. He also said the county stands to gain more than $3 million in federal matching funds if it moves ahead with its current plan.

The Board of Supervisors will take up the issue again at its April 10 meeting.