The devastating Palisades Fire in January has once again brought attention to the state’s disaster preparedness and preparatory measures aimed at assisting victims when the next disaster inevitably strikes. One state legislative measure — Proposition 171 — was designed to prevent property owners of damaged properties from experiencing significant increases in property tax bills when purchasing replacement homes, but it was never adopted in Santa Barbara County as was mandated by the bill. However, the Board of Supervisors has a timely and readily available solution — they can take action to adopt it immediately.
My wife and I lost our home in the Palisades Fire, and we’ve discovered that we can’t act on our dream of returning to Santa Barbara after a long-delayed absence because we’re unable to sell what’s left of our damaged property. And, without being able to transfer our old tax bill to a replacement, our dream remains unachievable.
Proposition 171 was enacted in 1993 by statewide vote following the devastating Tunnel Fire in Oakland. It distinguishes itself from subsequent disaster-assistance measures as it permits the transfer of legacy Proposition 13 tax assessments to replacement properties — without the requirement that the damaged property be sold prior to the transfer of the old tax bill…