Sunset Beach has taken the next step toward becoming the newest Orange County city.
With the county officials breathing down their neck, residents of the tiny beach community are trying a last ditch effort to avoid being forced to join the mega city of Huntington Beach to the south.
The more than 10-year-old community of Sunset Beach was recently placed under what officials call Huntington Beach’s “sphere of influence,” a situation that us usually a pre-curser to becoming annexed by the city.However, a survey of Sunset residents showed most residents in the neighborhood would rather join Seal Beach to the north. Current Seal Beach City Council members nixed the idea, saying they were not interested in taking on the responsibilities of annexing Sunset Beach.
Sunset Beach residents organized what they call the Committee on Future Governance and recently signed a contract with a consultant to do an in-depth feasibility study. It will detail revenues and expenses for Sunset Beach, exploring the possibility of incorporating, as its own city.
In addition, the committee is forming a Neighborhood Network to keep the residents of Sunset Beach informed of recent actions, activities, events and meetings.
Participants say the modern phone tree will help educate residents on the process, answer questions and network within the small community.
Sunset Beach has had a long, rich history of community volunteerism and involvement in neighborhood issues and challenges. Committee members say continuing that tradition is at the root of what they are fighting for.
Donations continue to be received, even by residents of Huntington Beach who want to see Sunset Beach remain the unique small town that it is.
If the study shows incorporation is viable, fundraising will begin to cover the cost of forming the city, committee members said.
One County official said he thinks Sunset Beach has more revenue potential then Villa Park, which recently became a city.
Committee members said their research has determined many of the services required for the city could be contracted out.
This is in contrast to what Huntington Beach Mayor Bohr told the press and KOCE TV. He said Sunset Beach currently only receives water service from Huntington Beach.
However, Sunset Beach residents pay for (including double) the utility tax that Huntington Beach residents are charged.
According to the committee, years ago Sunset Land and Water sold the company to Huntington Harbour, who later sold the water rights to Huntington Beach.
Sunset Beach receives its law enforcement from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department paid through the County.
Sunset has its own Volunteer Fire Department that works with the Orange County Fire Authority through the County and donations from the Las Damas Firemen’s Ball.
The County provides the beach maintenance, lifeguards and the greenbelt maintenance. Trash and sewer are furnished by the Sunset Beach Sanitary District, which is paid by Sunset Beach and Surfside property owners in their property taxes.
The special district, according to the committee, is more cost effective than neighboring cities.
Sunset Beach is considered one of the cleanest beaches in Orange County.
Library services are paid through local property taxes to use the Seal Beach library.
Huntington Beach charges Sunset Beach residents a fee to use their library even though the majority of children in Sunset Beach go to Huntington Beach schools.
Over the last 60 plus years, Las Damas, of Sunset Beach and Surfside, annually donated funds raised by the Sunset Beach Art Festival to the schools that service the local area for their art programs.
In an effort to cohesively move forward as a community, the option of incorporation must be explored to its conclusion.
Even though LAFCO placed Sunset Beach under Huntington Beach’s sphere of influence last July, residents are hoping Huntington Beach will respect this process and not move forward with annexation.
This will allow the community time to determine if Sunset Beach can become the 35th city in Orange County.
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