The taxpayers of Thousand Oaks are paying too much for fire protection, and the time has come for hot shots in the Ventura County Fire Department to fix the problem.

The city deserves one of two things: either a lower rate for existing services or a new Westlake Village station that's equipped and manned at little or no additional cost to the city of Thousand Oaks.

It's one or the other.

The city paid for an independent study last year that showed the city is overpaying for fire protection to the tune of $5.8 million to $6.2 million per year.

The overpayments have been going on for years.

Worse, the overcharge calculation, if anything, may be conservative, according to City Manager Scott Mitnick.

The actual overcharge might be even higher.

In essence, the good people of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village are subsidizing fire department services to other areas.

That's not fair.

While nobody questions the quality of service provided by the fire department's rank and file, nothing justifies higher fees that are being paid by the people of Thousand Oaks.

Deep down inside, we wonder if somebody somewhere wasn't asked at one point or another, "Why is Thousand Oaks paying so much for fire protection services compared to the rest of the county?"

The obvious response must have been, "Because Thousand Oaks residents have money, and people living in unincorporated areas and in poorer cities don't."

Several council members are generous and might be willing to pay a premium. But $6 million is totally out of line.

The city should request in writing a grand jury investigation.

Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, who represents this area, should also look into it.

If the city doesn't get a satisfactory and timely response, Thousand Oaks should examine the feasibility of creating its own municipal fire department.

Ventura County is leaving the city little choice.