Secession. A word we’ve all heard tossed around at times, but not exactly an action we’ve seen taken in recent years in America.

Secession is the topic of interest for government entities in regards to Imperial Estates and Island Village, two Long Beach communities. Proposed by the Orange County Local Agency Formation (OCLAF), the OC Register reported that the reason for the secession was due to the shifting of the Coyote Creek Flood Channel, which changed the county border. The LA/OC county border will readjust, accordingly, if the plan is approved.

At a recent city council meeting, a multitude of residents supported the proposal; however, the actual determination will be based on the difference in dollars. According to the Press Telegram, Reggie Harrison, Long Beach Deputy City Manager, said that the city will lose over $500,000 annually in property tax and other revenue from the two communities should the secession be approved.

A power plant that produces gas franchise revenue for Long Beach is another property city staffers are not enthusiastic about losing if it becomes annexed. Located near the San Gabriel River, the loss of revenue for the city would be in the ballpark of $10 million.

With fiscal losses exceeding $10.5 million, Los Angeles officials may be hesitant to the agreement. In order for the secession and subsequent annexations to go through, however, Orange and LA Boards of Supervisors and both cities must all be in approval.

We, here at Roost, would assume that property values and taxes would increase for homes in the seceded areas, but we’d love to hear from homeowners who would be impacted.

Will there be a difference in property values or property taxes if your home is one that is in the seceded areas? How about other taxes and fees, will they be less? Overall, what will be the benefits to homeowners living in the two areas to secede?

Send us a comment to let us know.