Residents will be asked if they are willing to pay for services

The Thousand Oaks City Council approved spending up to $83,000 to ask residents if they're willing to pay additional taxes to support schools, parks and city services. The measure passed by a 4-1 vote.

Two outside groups have been chosen to do the survey, for which Conejo Valley Unified School District, Conejo Recreation and Park District and the city will equally share the cost.

All three agencies are experiencing declining revenues, yet the community's expectations for continued service are increasing, according to a report by Assistant City Manager Candis Hong.

Each agency needs to explore alternative sources of funding to help pay for capital improvements, infrastructure and technology, Hong said.

"I think it's extremely important, especially seeing how dysfunctional our state government is. We don't know where they're going to come at us for money," said Mayor Tom Glancy.

"I think our only salvation is if we can become independent from the state," he said.

Councilmember Claudia Billde la Peña was the sole dissenter.

"I cannot approve of asking taxpayers in these difficult times if they're willing to pay more for services that should be readily made available to them," Bill-de la Peña said. "I may be proven completely wrong, and the taxpayers may approve this and say, 'I will pay higher fees in order to fund services and capital improvements,' but in this day and age I don't think it's wise to do."

While acknowledging the school district's financial struggle and employee layoffs, she questioned if the city and park district had done enough to cut back on spending.

"Until I see more belttightening—and I know a lot of belttightening has happened but I don't think it's been enough—I cannot in good conscience approve this contract," Bill-de la Peña said.

Hong pointed out the city has 35 unfunded positions in the next budget cycle.

Councilmember Jacqui Irwin said she thought residents would "enjoy being asked" if they would support paying more taxes to support the schools, park district and city.

"We said we need to look at other funding options and that's what staff did," Irwin said.

The first phase, to take place over the summer at a cost of $53,000, will include election analysis and telephone surveys of residents.

If voter reaction is positive, the second phase will include the preparation of a ballot measure and the creation of a public information campaign. That would cost about $30,500.

"At this point we have no idea what our community wants to see happen," Hong said. "We are trying to explore alternate forms of revenue to meet the needs of the community, especially when we see revenues reduced at the state level."