Residents in communities from Santa Paula to the Oxnard coast may decide whether to OK a new property tax in the fall.
The United Water Conservation District, which manages the Santa Felicia Dam and Lake Piru, plans to place a measure on the November ballot to help fund capital projects, including those required by regulatory agencies or the court. The district board voted unanimously to do so at a June 10 meeting, said Tara Mulally, United’s external affairs manager.
If approved, the measure would allow the district to issue up to $350 million in general obligation bonds, money that would then be repaid using funds from the special property tax. In this case, officials expect the tax would remain in place for 30 years.
Property owners would be expected to pay $24 a year per $100,000 of the property’s assessed value if the measure passes. The district includes Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Port Hueneme, Piru and parts of Ventura and Camarillo.
To pass, the measure would need two-thirds “yes” votes.
United officials identified priority capital projects that require near-term investment. While the district pursued grants and low-interest federal loans, they said substantial funding gaps remain.
The projects include:
District officials plan to provide information, listen and answer questions at community meetings and local events in coming months, Mulally said.
“This is where residents can get the full picture,” she said.
The district sent information about the bond measure to the county elections office. Once approved, the county elections office would assign a letter to the measure, according to state law.
United last passed a bond in the early 1950s – funds used to build the Santa Felicia Dam, officials said.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Local water district to ask voters to OK $350 million bond measure
Reporting by Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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By Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star | USA TODAY Network
