Rancho P. V. : Tax to Fund Improvements

The City Council has voted to spend most of the city’s utility users tax money on improving streets and drainage. A 5% tax on utility bills was enacted April 1 in the face of opposition from residents and disagreements among council members about how much should be charged. The tax is expected to bring in nearly $1.6 million during the current fiscal year.

Nearly half of the money is earmarked for resurfacing Hawthorne Boulevard, the city’s major thoroughfare, at a cost of $728,840. Other large projects are improvement of drainage and erosion protection systems at Point Vicente Park, which will cost $328,000, and resurfacing Crest Road at a cost of $163,500. The council authorized using up to $350,000 of the utility tax money to balance the city’s operating budget.