Inquiry over fire protection fees shouldn't take 5 months, Gillette says

By Nancy Needham  nancy@theacorn.com

Time means money as Thousand Oaks awaits equity regarding taxes the city pays to Ventura County for the fire protection services the county provides.

Councilmember Dennis Gillette is wondering why a county supervisor is giving the fire district so much time to provide county supervisors with the same figures the county gave to the city 18 months ago.

On March 17, County Supervisor Linda Parks requested clarification from the fire district as to why it disagrees with the $6-million overpayment in taxes reported by a city consultant. Parks asked for a report by August.

"I can't imagine why it's going to take them five months when all the information is in and they already came up with it a year and a half ago. I'm baffled," Gillette said.

During the March 10 City Council meeting, a consultant's report used data provided by the fire protection district, said City Manager Scott Mitnick.

At that meeting Gillette praised the firefighters as "absolute professionals" who "provide a tremendous service to us," but questioned why the $5.8 million to $6.2 million per year that leaves the city in county taxes isn't being returned in service.

Ventura County Fire Department Chief Michael LaPlant said he thought the consultant's estimate of $6 million a year in overpayment of taxes was high. He estimated it at $1 million to $1.4 million.

The council indicated that the Ventura County supervisors are, for political reasons, ignoring the city's requests for equity.

"This situation is just plain wrong. It's been very difficult to get anyone in a position of authority to talk to us," Gillette said recently.