Los Angeles homeowners besieged by the stench of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill could be smelling tax relief soon, thanks to a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger. In a bid to ease the fiscal burden on the residents of Val Verde, Live Oak, and Hasley Hills, Barger has laid out a plan to potentially reduce their property tax bills.
"The communities surrounding the landfill have been suffering for months through no fault of their own and deserve support," Barger said, stating that while Chiquita Canyon Landfill is responsible for providing relief, the local government should step up to support residents. Her motion posits that the County’s Treasurer tax collector should investigate how tax codes might allow cancellation of property tax penalties for late payments. Also, it requests that the Los Angeles County Assessor consider, a temporary reduction in property tax assessments, according to Barger's official website.
Should Barger's proposal gain approval when put to the vote on March 6, residents tormented by the landfill’s odors could find their wallets a bit heavier. The affected homeowners have long voiced their frustrations as the malicious scent encroaches upon their daily lives and, ultimately, their peace of mind. The relief, if enacted, would represent a tangible form of support for the beleaguered property owners.
As the situation develops, all eyes now turn to the Board of Supervisors who will decide the fate of Barger’s tax relief motion. Once the vote is tallied, the County’s Treasurer and Assessor’s offices will have 13 days to present options back to the board. With a potential respite on the horizon, impacted community members hold onto hope for a reprieve, not just from the offense to their nostrils but to their finances as well, as per the County of Los Angeles.
