County OKs 2 Measures to Aid Victims of Brush Fires
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved two measures Tuesday to aid victims of the Calabasas/Malibu fire rebuild their homes and businesses.
As part of the first measure, the county will hire contractors to demolish and remove debris from fire-damaged buildings, and also seek reimbursement directly from insurance companies and federal and state disaster relief agencies to recover the cleanup costs.
Although participation in the program is optional, property owners who do not join must arrange for the immediate cleanup of their properties, said Supervisor Ed Edelman, who introduced the plan.
The second measure, also introduced by Edelman, allows owners of homes and businesses destroyed in the Malibu area to save on the cost of water used by firefighters by writing off charges during that billing cycle.
The plan also allows property owners to avoid meter reconnection costs if they apply to have meters reinstalled within two years.
Additionally, people who had their homes partly destroyed by the fires may apply for a 50% discount on water costs.
The two measures are expected to save fire victims about $1 million in fees, Edelman said.
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