Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: (818) 501-5862
Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment |
14622 Ventura Blvd. #201B Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone: (818) 501-5862 |
Attention: Assignment Editor
Valley VOTE Contact Persons: Jeff Brain, Richard Close, Work: Chairman
Yesterday, January 24, 2001 at a meeting of the Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), the Commission tentatively set the date for a vote on whether or not the Valley, Hollywood and the Harbor should be their own independent cities. The intended date of the vote is targeted for the November 2002 election, provided the proposals meet the statutory requirements of the study.
The mandatory study is currently underway by LAFCO. The study must show that the new cities can sustain themselves financially and LAFCO must structure the division of Los Angeles so that it is revenue neutral — meaning it will not be allowed to financially hurt the new or old city financially. LAFCO is expected to release an initial fiscal analysis by March 31, 2001. The vote was unanimous except for one commissioner who thought it gave too much time.
Setting the date is intended to put all parties, including the City of Los Angeles on notice that the LAFCO process is moving forward and LAFCO will not tolerate unnecessary delays. Recently, the LAFCO Executive Director voiced concerns that the City was providing inaccurate information and was foot dragging as a way to possibly delay the study. The City of Los Angeles as well as the applicants in each area previously agreed to a seven step process. Step three requires the City of Los Angeles to deliver to LAFCO documentation about city assets, liabilities, departments, expenditures and revenue. In a recent report submitted to LAFCO by the City, the City failed to account for the geographic origin of $1 billion dollars out of their annual $4 billion budget. The State Controllers office has offered to help LAFCO determine the source of the City revenue absent further cooperation of the City.
Richard Close, Chairman of Valley VOTE said, "LAFCO by setting this date shows it is taking its responsibility serious and recognizes the importance that the vote be held in 2002 without further delay. The people of Los Angeles can decide this issue by a vote one way or another. The vote will decide whether to create four smaller cities, the Valley, the Harbor, Hollywood and a new smaller Los Angeles."
Jeff Brain, President of Valley VOTE said, "We are greatly encouraged by the action taken by the LAFCO Commission. The people of the Valley and Los Angeles have a right to have this issue analyzed and put to a vote in a timely manner. The petition drive was completed in December 1998. Certainly, a vote in 2002 will have already provided four years and that is enough time to complete a thorough study. The people in the Valley and elsewhere have waited over 20 years for a chance to vote on their independence from Los Angeles."
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