by Timothy Rutt
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hear public testimony on the "Clean Water, Clean Beaches" proposal on Tuesday, March 12.
The proposal is an added parcel tax on each property in the county that will go to fund flood control and anti-pollution measures. Opponents of the measure complained that notice was mailed to each property in a flyer that resembled "junk mail," rather than something that looked official.
Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has already come out against the measure, as have many residents. Lori Paul of the Chaney Trail newsgroup in Altadena has been circulating an email opposing the tax that says in part: "Details are lacking regarding how the generated funds (estimated to be $300,000,000 per year) will be spent (no specific criteria). Exactly which organizations and agencies (such as the L. A. County Dept. of Public Works) will receive how much money and for what exact purposes over what time period. This Measure creates a big pot of money with little oversight and accountability and high potential for misuse of the created public funds."
The hearing was originally scheduled for January. The process on the tax is going forward, because a majority of property owners did not submit protest forms by the deadline. If the measure goes forward, it will require a simple majority of property owners voting in a mail-in ballot to pass.
The hearing will take place during the regular meeting in the Board Hearing Room at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street in Los Angeles. The meeting will be webcast live via the LA County website at www.LACounty.info. Requests to address the Board on this item must be submitted in person to the Executive Officer of the Board prior to the item being called.
For more information on the measure, visit www.LACountyCleanWater.org, call (800) 218-0018
