Residents look for dollars and sense

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- As a brief window of opportunity to down an

annexation plan loomed, nearly 100 skeptical Newport Coast homeowners

recently listened to reasons why they should allow their community to

become part of Newport Beach.

Their biggest concerns at Wednesday’s meeting with city officials

could be summed up in two questions: “What’s in it for us?� and “What’s

in it for the city of Newport Beach?�

Both questions can be answered in dollars.

“I feel like a marriage proposal has been put on the table, and if I

don’t speak now I’ll have to forever hold my peace,� resident Shawn

Cowles said.

Leading the list of benefits the 7,000 or so Newport Coast residents

will enjoy under annexation is $18 million in tax relief. The city has

agreed to distribute $1.2 million a year for 15 years to homeowners for a

tax they now pay to the county. The tax was originally assessed to pay

for infrastructure improvements such as the widening of Coast Highway.

The money will come from $25 million the city would be paid by the

Irvine Ranch Water District after the annexation. The other $7 million

could be used for a community center if the residents want one.

For the owner of a $1.7-million Newport Coast home, this will mean

about $722 the first year, with returns slowly diminishing as it is split

among an increasing number of residents who move into the area.

The city, too, will get a bolstered bottom line from the annexation --

about $300,000. This is possible, Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff

explained, because the city can more efficiently provide some services

the county is now providing.

Kiff added that, in some cases, the services will be better. For

example, the city can provide police response much quicker than the

county now does.

Some residents, however, remain unconvinced.

“I’m not opposed to annexation in general, but I am opposed to it at

this time,� Cowles said. “I think there’s a better deal that could be had

out there.�

City officials are quick to point out that money is not their main

motive. Dating back to the 1970s, the Newport Coast area was ruled to be

part of the city’s “sphere of influence,� ultimately to be made part of

Newport Beach.

“I haven’t decided whether I’m going to support annexation,� resident

Shirley Field said. “I’m not sure what the benefits would be.�

The Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission approved the

annexation on Sept. 12, pending the results of a protest period, which

began Monday.

Until Nov. 16, the nearly 3,300 registered Newport Coast voters can

file their “no� votes with the commission. If 25% or more of the

registered voters in the Newport Coast protest, the question will go to a

vote among Newport Coast residents. If more than 50% of the registered

voters protest, the annexation dies for at least 12 months.

FYI

Newport Coast residents who want to protest annexation or who want

more information may visit o7 https://www.oclafco.ca.gov/home.htmf7 or

call (714) 834-2556.