Non Santa Clarita residents get fee hike

At the Santa Clarita city council meeting held Tuesday March 28th, the council in a 4-1 vote approved a fee hike for those who live beyond city limits in areas such as Castaic and Stevenson Ranch for Park programs and facilities. Councilman Cameron Smyth was the lone dissenter.
The fee will increase the cost of particular programs such as Basketball, and other popular children's programs that the city facilitates through its Park Dept.

During the public comment period of the hearing, Vice President of the West Ranch Town Council Dave Bossert said that the fee hike is a "slap in the face" to those who live beyond city limits but spend their money at local businesses within city limits, and added that the City Council should have suspended a vote and first attempt to meet with town councils of the areas affected by a vote. Frank Ferry was less than pleased with Mr. Bossert's comments. In an emotional outcry, that couldn't even be toned down by an attempt from Mayor Laurene Weste, Frank Ferry lashed out, and asked when - if ever, the City of Santa Clarita was given the same consideration prior to a vote that had specific ramifications for the residents of Santa Clarita. Ferry also pointed out that this subsidy of non-residents is just one more reason for those who live beyond city limits to annex into Santa Clarita. He made it very clear that if the residents beyond city limits want to annex, then they should vote on it. But until then, Ferry made it clear, that the residents in those areas should not be receiving all the benefits of being in a city, with out being a part of the city.

It is unfair for the residents of Santa Clarita to pay the same amount in fees for park programs, which their tax dollars help support, as those who pay nothing into the cities general fund, aside from their sales tax at retail stores and such. This fee hike will make it more fair, and lessen the subsidy of non residents by way of the general fund. While an argument can be maid that those who live in Stevenson Ranch for instance, spend a lot of dollars inside Santa Clarita which benefits the city, the same can be said for newer retail developments outside city limits such as the Valencia Marketplace off of the Old Road. Not a dollar in tax revenue goes to Santa Clarita from that shopping center, even if a majority of shoppers their are likely from within city limits.

This fee hike will take place for the 2006-2007 winter program season and will not apply to county developed sites within the city. Visit the city of Santa Clarita for more information at www.Santa-Clarita.com.


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