Advisors Favor Tax Hike for Services

In order to keep their streets clean, their landscape green and their street lights lit, Oak Park residents may have to pay an additional $20 at tax time next year to cover a budget shortfall.

The Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council unanimously supported a service tax, equal to about $20 per household, at its meeting Tuesday night. But it is not expected to come before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for final approval until this summer.

Steve Williams, a supervising real property agent in the county’s public works department, said the assessment is not new.

Until 1988, residents of the small, unincorporated area were taxed for such services as landscaping, crossing guards and street sweeping.

But the county initially assessed residents too much. It has been using the surplus ever since to pay for the services.

Now that money has run out and there is an anticipated $89,300 shortfall for fiscal 1997, which begins July 1.

“It was anticipated that we would have to reactivate these service charges,” Williams said.

Advisory council members said they aren’t expecting opposition to the tax from residents.

“We figured the 20 bucks was worth it to keep Oak Park clean,” said Todd F. Haines, an advisory council member.