Ventura OKs fee for 911 service
The City of Ventura's council gave the go ahead for a $1.49 monthly fee to be levied on all telephone users to pay for 911 emergency services. This makes Ventura the first city in Southern California to implement such a charge, one that has been invalidated in several Northern California cities, most notably Stockton, as a "tax in disguise."
Ventura's case is singular, however, in that city residents could have the option of throwing caution to the wind and forgoing the fee -- given they agree to pay a $50 per-call charge in the event they do utilize the city's 911 services. Read the full story in the Ventura Star.
How does the city get the authority to levy a fee with a PUC regulated utility? I doubt it is legal without a request and hearing at the Public Utilities Commission
Posted by:Mickey | January 31, 2008 at 06:34 PM
If this doesn't send the wrong message about Ventura's priorities, I don't know what does! "Health & Safety" are the two fundamental charges of local government and Ventura should find a way to cover those costs without a use tax or fee and in-turn raise money some other way.
Posted by:Dan | February 02, 2008 at 05:14 PM