YORBA LINDA

The Civic Light Opera will need about $43,000 from the city to shine again during a 2001 season. Group representatives are asking the City Council to contribute that amount to pay the rent for six performances at the Forum Theater next year.

The group canceled its 1999 season, except for its summer youth theater, when it could not pay for production costs that range from $15,000 to $30,000 per show. Rent is almost a third of the group’s annual $125,000 expenses for six shows, group founder Virginia DeLand said.

Council members are split on whether to provide more funds for the group, after having paid the group $21,440 in 1998 to cover back rent, and giving the opera use of a city-owned house for about eight years--at cost of $1 a month. They are scheduled to consider the funding request Tuesday.