Council OKs Ballot Measure for Road Bonds

The Santa Clarita City Council on Tuesday night approved an agreement with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to place a 25-year bond measure on the November ballot to improve roads in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The measure, which would require approval of two-thirds of the voters to pass, would add between $75 and $200 to homeowners’ annual property taxes. The money would be used to build, widen and upgrade streets and highways in the city and unincorporated portions of the valley.

The council voted 4 to 1 to approve the agreement. Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy abstained, saying the pact needed refining.

Under the agreement, the city and county would jointly administer the construction funds. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the plan April 11.

Later, the city and county must hold public hearings to create a joint-powers authority and place the measure on the Nov. 7 ballot. Those proceedings are viewed as a formality, however, city officials said. The agreement was developed by a citizens transportation committee, along with Santa Clarita and county officials.

The bond measure, as proposed, would apply to property within the William S. Hart Union High School District. City Atty. Carl K. Newton said those boundaries could be modified by the joint-powers authority.