Public hearing set for proposed new Las Lomitas parcel tax Public hearing set for proposed new Las Lomitas parcel tax (December 31, 2003)

A proposed new parcel tax of $98 will be the primary topic of discussion at a January 13 public hearing conducted by the governing board of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District.

The ballot measure for the tax, if approved by the board, would be put before district voters April 13 in a special election. To pass, the measure would need the approval of two-thirds of the voters.

If the tax is approved at $98, district property owners would pay a total of $294 per parcel for the schools.

The district board recently authorized spending up to $15,000 to gauge support for a tax by surveying about 300 residents between December 10 and the second week of January.

The new revenues of about $400,000 would be used to "restore and maintain quality programs," maintain small class sizes, and "retain and train high-quality teachers," a district summary statement said.

District residents now pay $196 per parcel, which generates about $784,000 to pay and train teachers and pay for student programs and operating expenses. The measure authorizing that tax, which was approved by voters in 2001, doubled a $98 parcel tax and extended it to expire in 2008.

Property owned and occupied by residents 65 or older is exempt from the parcel taxes if the owner requests an exemption from the district.

The hearing on the proposed tax will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, in the La Entrada School library at 2200 Sharon Road in West Menlo Park. For more information, call the district business office at 854-6311.

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