SANTA MONICA/HOLLYWOOD HILLS—Tax measures to increase fire patrol in the cities of Santa Monica and Hollywood Hills passed on Tuesday, November 8.
Measure FF implements a $15 tax each year on land in parts of the Woodland Hills, Encino, and Tarzana. Measure GG adds a $35 tax on land west of Griffith Park and east of the 405.
Votes placed by mail and provisional ballots took additional time to count. Measure FF was leading with over 76.48 percent of voters approving the measure and Measure GG was ahead with 83.71 percent of voters approving the measure. Polls show that both won by a two-thirds vote.
Areas covered by these two measures were less traveled, but the invention of new travel apps are seeing more traffic in the regions raising the risk of fires being started by cars or cigarettes.
Residents of the areas voted to keep wildlife safe, which has been protected by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The new taxes will help preserve the parks and open spaces.
In addition to fire safety and wildlife conservation, the both measures provide year-round park ranger patrol and security to prevent vandalism and crime.
For more information about Measure FF, visit votersedge.org.
