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Utility tax may be decided by voters

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The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider asking voters in November to keep a utility tax that pumps $65 million into county coffers each year.

The tax, which has been tacked on to gas, electric and telephone bills in unincorporated areas since 1991, is threatened by a series of court decisions and could be struck down this year.

Other municipalities, including the city of Los Angeles, have won voter approval for similar levies.

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In a letter to supervisors, county Chief Executive Officer William T Fujioka said the tax revenue was needed to pay for code enforcement, early-morning patrols at parks and extended hours at county libraries.

If approved by most voters in unincorporated areas, the tax would be reduced from 5% to 4.5%.

Supervisors are expected to decide on the ballot measure July 22.

-- Jean-Paul Renaud

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