Library Tax to Be Placed on Ballot

The Camarillo City Council voted Wednesday to put on the March, 1996, ballot a parcel tax measure to raise funds for the Camarillo Library.

In a unanimous vote, the council directed city staff to determine the amount of the parcel tax by Nov. 15. The council also agreed to ask the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to submit the same parcel tax proposal to voters in the unincorporated county area surrounding Camarillo. These areas include Somis, Mesa-Union School District and the Pleasant Valley School District.

In an effort to immediately increase library service, the council also voted to use $49,400 from the city’s general fund to extend library hours. The money will help keep the library open an additional 11 hours each week.

Voters in Ventura, Ojai and the unincorporated areas around the two cities will vote in November on whether to enhance library funding.

Measure L will ask Ventura residents if they want to assess property owners $35 a year per parcel.

Voters in Ojai will vote on Measure O, an initiative that would assess owners of single-family residences, condominiums and commercial and industrial properties $35 a year per parcel to increase library funding. Ojai apartment owners would be assessed $25 a year per unit.

Measure N will ask voters to assess property owners $35 a year per parcel in unincorporated areas near Ojai and Ventura but within the boundaries of the Ojai Valley and Ventura unified school districts.