A group of Oak Park residents has launched an effort to restructure their local government by forming a community services district. Their goal is to create a locally elected body that would oversee municipal services for the unincorporated Ventura County community.
š Background and Motivation
Oak Park, home to about 13,500 residents, currently receives services from Ventura County and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. Many residents have voiced frustrations about poor service quality, delays in maintenance, and lack of local representation.
Mark Perryman, a former chief of staff for Supervisor Jeff Gorell and the chair of the newly formed Oak Park Community Services District Formation Committee, said the initiative responds to long-standing concerns. He noted recurring issues with sidewalk maintenance, landscaping, and delayed county responses.
š What the Change Would Mean
If approved, Oak Park would detach from the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and dissolve County Service Area No. 4, consolidating services under one local authority. This district would be governed by elected Oak Park residents, giving the community more control over decisions related to parks, street maintenance, and other services.
Supporters believe this shift would improve responsiveness, transparency, and efficiency in public services.
š° Financial Concerns and Analysis
Some residents and officials, including Supervisor Gorell and the Ventura County Taxpayers Association, have raised concerns that a new agency might increase local taxes. Perryman countered that existing assessments would transfer to the new district and not result in automatic increases.
To address financial sustainability, the formation committee has requested a fiscal analysis from the Ventura County Auditor-Controller. Preliminary research suggests that in-house staffing could save about $170,000 annually, which could fund expanded services such as increased landscaping and wildfire prevention.
š³ Next Steps in the Process
The formation committee is currently collecting documents and gathering signatures. To begin the official application with the Local Agency Formation Commission, the committee needs signatures from at least 25 percent of registered voters in Oak Park.
If approved by the commission and not blocked by a majority protest, the measure would be placed on the November 2026 ballot.
š Community Engagement
The public will have an opportunity to learn more at the upcoming Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council meeting on January 29. Officials from the Local Agency Formation Commission are scheduled to present information and answer questions.
š£ Why It Matters
Advocates believe this reorganization would return control to Oak Park residents, ensuring that decisions about essential services are made locally. They view the proposed district as a way to break from what they see as inefficient, unresponsive systems currently managed by outside agencies.