Agoura Hills : Council to Consider Future of Utility Tax

Under pressure to deal from angry voters, the Agoura Hills City Council on Wednesday will discuss whether to rescind a controversial 1994 utility tax.

The California Supreme Court last year upheld a 1986 state ballot measure giving voters a say over new general and special taxes. Since then, the council has been under pressure to rescind the tax or place it on the ballot.

The council passed a resolution in February to place the matter on the November ballot. But a local anti-tax group is urging the council to rescind the tax immediately and then place it on the ballot.

Mayor Ed Corridori said Thursday that he would like to have a special election soon. “I’d like the issue to get resolved,” he said.

City Manager Dave Adams suggested that the council, before setting a special election, await the outcome of a related matter. A suit before the state Court of Appeal could force a recall election against Corridori and fellow council members Fran Pavley and Denis Weber. If it does, Adams said, a single special election could be set for both the tax and recall.

Barbara Murphy, a leader of the anti-tax group, said she believes the council wants a special election because it would draw a smaller turnout of voters loyal to the council. A special election, Murphy said, would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Adams said a special election would cost the city about $25,000. Incorporating a measure onto the November general election ballot, he said, would cost the city about $13,000.