Simi Official Criticizes Library Vote

City Councilwoman Sandi Webb denounced the county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday for agreeing to move ahead with a plan to tax property owners to help pay for library services.

“This is an outrage,” Webb said. “Regardless of how anyone feels about library funding, the supervisors should not be creating a new tax without voter approval.”

The board voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to set up a benefit assessment district to raise money for the county’s financially troubled library system. The annual assessment--which is expected to be between $30 and $35 per property--must now be approved by the cities served by the county library system--Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley and Ventura.

Webb said she will oppose Simi Valley’s inclusion in the benefit assessment district. She also congratulated Supervisor Judy Mikels, whose district includes Simi Valley, for being the only official to vote against the library assessment.

“I’m proud that our representative was willing to stand up for our rights as taxpayers,” Webb said. “Unlike the other four supervisors, Judy Mikels is on our side.”