L.A. County Supervisors place parcel tax on November ballot

LOS ANGELES -- A half-cent sales tax increase isn't the only tax hike Downey voters will help decide this November. 

On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 to put on the November ballot a measure that would add a one-and-a-half cent per square foot parcel tax on properties countywide to fund park improvements and maintenance. 

About $95 million would be raised annually if the parcel tax is approved, or $22.50 per year for a 1,500 sq. ft. house. The tax has no end date.

County supervisors drafted the measure as a replacement to Proposition A – the Safe Neighborhood Parks Act – which was passed in November 1992 and authorized an annual assessment on virtually all county properties. Prop. A is scheduled to expire in 2019. 

Supervisor Don Knabe, who represents Downey on the Board of Supervisors, voted against the tax proposal. 

County supervisors are also considering additional tax increases that would be used to address homelessness in Los Angeles County. A vote is scheduled for next week.