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Measure PH appears to pass; La Habra Heights urged to seek Habitat Authority representation
Summary
Council heard that Measure PH, a Puente Hills Habitat Authority parcel tax, appears to have passed; the authority plans an advisory board and staff said cities taxed by the measure will have representation considered for oversight appointments.
Council members heard an update Dec. 9 that Measure PH, a parcel tax proposed by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, appears to have passed following the Nov. 5 election and certification processes.
Ivan (speaker 15), representing Supervisor Janice Hahn and the Habitat Authority, told the council the authority will begin administrative steps, including establishing an oversight/advisory board to review expenditures and make recommendations on how parcel-tax revenue will be spent. He said the authority expects appointments from taxing jurisdictions and pledged to consider La Habra Heights representation.
Ivan said the parcel-tax funds will support clearance, rangers, education and related habitat-preservation work but noted the revenue will not be collected immediately; property-tax collection mechanics mean the city will see funds only after administrative steps are complete. "We are developing that board as we speak and, from what we are looking at, there will be some appointments from the city, city of La Habra Heights in that advisory board," he said.
Several councilmembers said La Habra Heights should seek a seat on the Habitat Authority board to ensure the city's taxpayers have direct input into spending decisions. Councilmembers also stressed the need to consider fire-safety priorities when planning habitat work.
What's next: Habitat Authority staff will return to the board in January to set foundation procedures and oversight structures; La Habra Heights staff will evaluate representation and any liability or governance questions associated with formal board membership.
