South Pasadena : Fire, Lighting Taxes Hiked

The City Council has approved tax increases to help pay for fire services, landscaping and lighting, but property owners will have the chance to reject the new taxes by mail.

Property owners will have 45 days from the date notices of the new taxes are mailed out to send a letter of protest.

The increases will be overturned if a specified percentage opposes.

The City Council unanimously approved the lighting and landscape assessment district tax. City officials hope the tax will raise $1 million.

Despite opposition from Councilmen Paul Zee and James S. Woollacott Jr., the five-member council also approved a fire assessment district tax increase to raise $400,000.

The two dissenting councilmen advocated raising the city’s utility tax instead.

Homeowners would pay an additional $39 to $78 for fire services and $85 to $130 for the landscape and lighting assessment.

The lighting tax can be defeated if 50% of property owners oppose it. The fire tax can be defeated if residents providing 5% of the revenue oppose it.

The notice of the tax increases advises property owners that they have the right to overturn them.