Property Owners Approve Street Light Assessment

A street light tax has been approved by Torrance property owners who voted by mail-in ballots on reinstituting the levy that expired at the end of June. The deadline for receipt of ballots was Tuesday.

The original assessment was passed 20 years ago by the City Council. But Proposition 218, approved by voters in November, states that no local government may impose, increase or extend any general tax after Jan. 1, 1995. The assessment tax must be approved by property owners holding more than 50% of the weighted value of property in the city.

Of those voting, owners with 65.5% of the weighted vote agreed to pay the tax. The assessment fee will pay for operation and maintenance of street lights and stoplights.