By Nancy Needham  nancy@theacorn.com

Ventura County takes from $5.6 million to $6.2 million more taxes a year from Thousand Oaks residents than it gives back to the city in fire protection services, according to a city report.

A discussion on how to enhance fire service in Thousand Oaks was postponed until Nov. 6 because of the fires burning in San Diego. The consultants who researched the $68,500 review with a report suggesting ways Thousand Oaks' fire service can be improved are San Diego area residents and couldn't make it to the City Council meeting, said city spokesperson Andrew Powers.

The city hasn't looked closely at the services provided by Ventura County Fire Department since 1993.

Now that they have, consultants recommend some improvements so the city's residents get more of what they're already paying for.

In the report the city is referred to as a major donor to the fire district, paying about $32 million a year to get about $26-million worth of service. This estimate was said to be conservative and the actual subsidy could be larger.

The amount Thousand Oaks residents pay for fire service is higher than what most cities are paying into the regional fund, the report said.

The cost of the fire department is more than the city pays for law enforcement. Usually a city of 100,000 would pay more for its police department budget and have its own city fire department, the report said.

The police department is contracted by the city and paid for out of the city's general funds, but fire services are taken directly from taxpayers and go straight to the county. Police services are reviewed by the city every five years.

Fire service enhancements mentioned in the report include increasing the engine staff from three to four per company and placing paramedics on every engine and ladder truck.

The relocation of Fire Station No. 33 in Lake Sherwood closer to Thousand Oaks and making it a full-service station with a paramedic is being considered. Currently the closest fire department paramedics to Lake Sherwood, an unincorporated area, is north of Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The fire department has already agreed to move Fire Station No. 35 in Newbury Park a couple of miles to provide better service to the area, Powers said.

More ladder truck service is being requested for Thousand Oaks. This equipment is important to service high-rise buildings. Currently there's one ladder truck in Thousand Oaks that reaches 105 feet, or 10-story building height. Moorpark, Simi Valley and Camarillo also have one ladder truck, said Capt. Pete Jensen, a fire department spokesperson.

Other ideas in the report suggested fire stations and equipment display "City of Thousand Oaks" on them. The city should have its own fire chief, the report said.

The city plans to have discussions with the fire district staff and bring a plan back to the City Council in April before the beginning of a new fiscal budget year next July.