Plan to Track Use of City Taxes by ZIP Code Delayed

A proposed study that would show how much different parts of Los Angeles pay in taxes and receive back in services, by ZIP Code, was blocked Tuesday by the City Council president.

The study proposed by Councilmen Hal Bernson and Rudy Svorinich Jr. at a City Council meeting is separate from a financial review already authorized by the Local Agency Formation Commission in response to a San Fernando Valley cityhood petition.

The proposal by Bernson and Svorinich would highlight many of the same issues that have fueled secession drives in their respective districts in the San Fernando Valley and San Pedro.

Secessionists have cited the failure of the city to provide them with their “fair share” of services in arguing for the breakup of Los Angeles.

The motion called for the city controller to identify how much residents in each ZIP Code in the city pay out in taxes and receive back in city expenditures.

“That’s information that folks want to find out,” Svorinich said. “It’s information that has never been made available. I think it’s time it is provided.”

However, council President John Ferraro exercised his power to send the proposal to a committee for study before it can be put to a council vote.