Camarillo Acorn
December 28, 2024
Kudos to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for its unanimous approval to waive certain rebuilding fees through 2026.
The action offers financial relief to residents affected by the Mountain fire. Totaling as much as $5 million, the waivers ease the burden on those working to rebuild their homes while affecting the county budget.
The Mountain Fire started Nov. 6 and burned 19,904 acres, destroying 243 structures in and around Somis and Camarillo. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although it is not believed that Southern California Edison facilities are to blame.
The waivers cover a variety of services provided by county agencies, including the Ventura County Resource Management Agency RMA and Public Works. These include planning, building environmental health services, along with land development, roads, transportation and Fire Protection District fees for fire safety plan reviews.
Specifically, the waivers eliminate costs such as demolition permits, permit issuance fees, planning zone clearances, and environmental health fees for septic systems. Public Works fees for grading and floodplain review will also be waived.
Additionally, RMA officials recommended waiving staff time charges for resolved code enforcement cases, as well as fees for ongoing planning and entitlement applications.
These waivers apply only to those who owned property at the time of the fire.
“If properties are sold before any rebuilding, new owners won’t be eligible for waivers,” said Jennifer Orozco, Deputy Director of Operations for RMA.
Orozco noted that recovery efforts are progressing through the debris removal program, expected to conclude by early spring 2025.
Rebuilding efforts are set to begin soon after, likely in spring or summer. The fee waivers could amount to $20,000 per dwelling on average.
Orozco said that in addition to waiving fees, officials are working to expedite the rebuilding process.
That’s great news for people wanting to get back into their own home.
Besides prioritizing rebuilding applications and establishing clear communication channels across multiple departments, single points of contact will also be designated to help residents address any delays.
Orozco said the RMA is also collaborating with the assessor’s office to allow property owners to make adjustments to their original layouts without triggering a property reassessment. This flexibility will help property owners modify homes and improve layouts during rebuilding. On the other hand, waiving the fees does have a financial impact on the county and could trigger budget adjustments.
Maureen McGuire, CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, thanks the county for its support but stresses the challenges faced by farmers, many of whom lack wildfire insurance. She urged the board to continue to reduce recovery costs, warning that the loss of farms would negatively affect both the economy and national food security.
Louise Lampara, Executive Director of the Ventura County Coalition of Labor, Ag and Business, called for the county to adopt a formal policy for Mountain fire recovery. Lampara also recommended regular updates to ensure transparency, identify bottlenecks, and track progress on rebuilding efforts.
Supervisor Jeff Gorell expressed confidence in the board’s efforts to address the needs of fire victims, saying, “We’ve got the right team in place.”
It’s especially heartening to hear county CEO Sevet Johnson say her goal is to avoid anything that could slow down recovery efforts.
“Our commitment is to ensure seamless services for fire victims,” she says.
Homeowners facing challenges because of the fire should contact the Resource Management Agency directly at vcnavigator@ventura.org for assistance.
And how’s this for good news: The board recently presented a proclamation recognizing the Ventura County Community Foundation for its recovery efforts, with Gorell praising its swift response and the distribution of more than $287,000 to support fire victims with housing and essential needs.
Not all heroes wear capes.
https://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/articles/fee-waivers-the-right-thing-to-do/
