Homeowners say county is shirking its responsibilities
By Sophia Fischer  sfischer@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SIDEWALK TALK--Ventura County Transportation Director Butch Britt, left, and Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks listen to Newbury Park residents Steven Beals, second from right, and James Keatley discuss sidewalk repairs on Dorena Drive in Newbury Park yesterday.

Homeowners in unincorporated Ventura County are responsible for maintaining sidewalks and trees in front of their homes. They're also liable if someone gets hurt due to improperly maintained walkways. These policies outrage James Keatley, a 46-year resident of the Casa Conejo tract in unincorporated Newbury Park.

"This property belongs to the county, so they should have the responsibility for maintaining it," said Keatley, a retired firefighter and engine company captain. "They don't have the right to do this."

The county has had these rules in effect since 1978, shortly after passage of Proposition 13, which limits property tax rates for California homeowners.

As a result of Prop. 13, the county could no longer afford to provide such maintenance, according to Butch Britt, Ventura County director of transportation.

"After Proposition 13 we went to the Board of Supervisors and said we can't continue to do everything," Britt said.

Some cities, such as Thousand Oaks, provide such services, according to Britt. And in some unincorporated areas, like Oak Park, special assessments were created for residents to pay for extra services such as median landscape maintenance or street sweeping.

"Our budget has never been as generous as a community like Thousand Oaks is," Britt said. "When you've got money, you can be more generous. When you don't have money you have to be an SOB."

Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, who oversees unincorporated areas, said she has tried several times to get the board of supervisors to reconsider the ruling or to provide sidewalk repair funding, but to no avail.

Assemblymember Audra Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) is composing a bill to change the ordinance, but Britt doesn't know who would pay for the work.

If a neighbor complains about the condition of a tree or a sidewalk, county workers will inspect the problem.

The county will make minor repairs, but if a tree requires removal or a sidewalk has to be completely redone, a notice is sent to the adjacent homeowner. About 30 to 40 such calls occur annually, according to Britt.

"Most people cooperate when we explain, even though they don't like it," Britt said.

Contractor suggestions are offered at a resident's request. Britt recommends obtaining two or three bids and checking state licensing status.

The homeowner who doesn't cooperate receives several notices.

If the repairs aren't made, the county fixes the problem and sends the homeowner the bill, Britt said.

The real issue, according to Keatley, is concern over liability. The county wants the lawsuit burden to fall on the homeowner, he said.

"I've never had anybody sue me in 46 years," Keatley said.

His neighborhood is an older one, and it's showing signs of age. Keatley blames the county for the deterioration.

"The county has let this area become dismal, with curbs and gutters uprooted by trees that shouldn't have been planted," Keatley said.

It was the county's responsibility to make sure people didn't plant such trees, he added.

When he was with the fire department, Keatley ran the weed abatement program, so he said he knows property lines. Some of his neighbors do the work when the county requests it; others have battled the county for years.

"Everyone wishes me luck and says I'm beating a dead horse," Keatley said.