Calabasas Panel Says Cityhood Estimate Erred

Moving to salvage a two-year incorporation drive, Calabasas leaders said Wednesday they will challenge Los Angeles County finance estimates that indicate their proposed city would not be able to support itself.

Cityhood committee members said they will meet today with county Local Agency Formation Commission officials about predictions that Calabasas would start off nearly $3 million in the red.

Commission executive officer Ruth Binell said last week that she will recommend rejection of the incorporation because of estimates that tax revenues the first year would be $2.8 million while expenses would come to $5.7 million.

Cityhood committee chairman Robert Hill said he has discovered about a $1.1-million discrepancy in Binell’s figures so far.

Hill told the committee that the 26-square-mile size of the proposed city of 24,558 residents will be pared down only if additional budget mistakes are not found.

Hill and other committee leaders said they will demand that Binell explain how she estimated costs for fire protection at $1.6 million, public works at $1.3 million and police protection at $1.8 million during the city’s first year.