Transfer of Assessed Value to Taxpayers 55 and Older for New Residence Purchases in Ventura County

There are two California propositions that allow exclusions from reappraisal when selling your property in Ventura County if you are age 55 or older at the time of sale.

Proposition 60 allows transfers of base year values within the same county. Proposition 90 allows transfers from one county to another county in California (inter-county). Not all counties in California have inter-county policies; Ventura County does.

Prop 60 allows taxpayers ages 55 and older to sell their personal residence and buy a new one of equal or lesser value to transfer the "assessed" value of the former home to the new home. This can save you significantly in property taxes if the assessed value of your former home is significantly less than the current market value (as a result of Prop 13 limitations).

If you qualify, you must complete the Claim of Person(s) at Least 55 Years of Age for Transfer of Base Year Value to Replacement Dwelling (Prop 60/90) form available on the Ventura County Assessor website at assessor.countyofventura.org/taxsavings/seniors.asp.

Here is a variety of additional details and limitations:

• Either you, or your spouse (if married) has to be 55 or older at the time of sale. It does not have to be both of you.
• Both properties must be your personal residence (e.g. not a rental property).
• This is a one time tax benefit, even if you divorce or a spouse dies. (Except if one of you subsequently becomes severely or permanently disabled, in which case if you move again you can file for relief again under Prop 110.)
• The new home or property must be purchased within 2 years of selling the old home.

More details at www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/propositions60_90.htm.

SCORE Ventura County Helps Over 1,000 Local Entrepreneurs Each Year

The Ventura County Chapter of SCORE is a 501(c)3 non-profitorganization that was founded in 1971. SCORE was founded as an organization in 1964. The organization’s 11,000 volunteers operate out of over 320 chapters through the country.

The acronym SCORE stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives. SCORE Ventura County counselors are an active group of over 60 volunteers who are retired successful business owners and managers who enjoy helping established and potential business owners achieve success.

SCORE Ventura County provides FREE individualized counseling in partnership with Chamber of Commerce offices in Camarillo, Malibu, Moorpark, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Greater Ventura County and Oxnard. Appointments can be made online at ventura.score.org/mentors.

SCORE Ventura County also provides workshops, some free and most for a small charge, for local entrepreneurs. Visit this link for upcoming events ventura.score.org/localworkshops.

In addition, the chapter is active in many other community projects such as Hispanic Programs Group, Boots2Business training for our military, collaboration with technical assistance partners at the SBA as well as working with local educational institutions.

There are many other useful resources on the SCORE Ventura County website at ventura.score.org. Call SCORE Ventura County at 805.204.6022 or visit their website for more information.

California Child Passenger Buckle-Up Laws and Seat Belt Safety Information

Booster seats save lives! Car crashes are a leading preventable cause of death and permanent injuries in children. SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. is a non-profit organization dedicated to child passenger safety. Its mission is to help reduce the number of serious and fatal traffic injuries suffered by children by promoting the correct, consistent use of safety seats and safety belts. The following information is provided courtesy of this organization. Visit www.carseat.org for more information.

California Buckle-Up Laws for Parents

Children under age 8 must be properly buckled into a safety seat or booster in the back seat (V.C. 27360). Exceptions:

• A child who weighs over 40 pounds and is riding in a car without lap and shoulder belts in the back seat may wear just a lap belt.
• A child under age 8 who is at least 4' 9" may wear a safety belt if it fits properly.
• Children under age 8 may ride in front if there is no forward-facing rear seat in vehicle, the child restraint cannot be properly installed in rear seat, all rear seats are occupied by other children age 7 or under, or for medical reasons.
• A child in a rear-facing safety seat may not ride in front if there is an active passenger air bag.

NEW LAW EFFECTIVE 1/1/17: Children under 2 years old must be rear-facing unless they are 40 lbs or greater or are 40 inches in height.

Having problems with your child safety seat? Don't worry, you're not alone! Visit www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/CPSFitting/Index.cfm for a list of local safety seat inspection stations. Or try Safe Kids Ventura County, where you can schedule a car seat inspection in collaboration with the Ventura County Fire Department in Camarillo (Wednesdays 805.389.9748), Moorpark (Mondays 805.552.1917) and Thousand Oaks (Mondays 805.496.9035) by appointment.

Children age 8 or older may use the vehicle safety belt if it fits properly, with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or safety seat. (V.C. 27360.5)

Seat belt safety graphic courtesy of SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.

According to SafetyBeltSafe, most kids need to ride in a booster seat until age 10 to 12. Using a booster instead of just a belt prevents 45% of crash injuries. If your child isn't using a booster, try the following simple 5-step test:

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

Answering "no" to any of these questions indicates your child needs a booster seat.

Consequences for not properly buckling up children under age 16:

• Parent gets ticket if child under 16 is not properly buckled up.
• Driver gets ticket if parent is not in the car.
• Cost of ticket could be more than $500 per child (including penalties) and $1,000 per child for a second offense. And a point is added to your driving record.

Related information:

• Older babies and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing convertible seat until they are at least two years old.  Check seat instructions for maximum weight (30-45 lbs).
• Children should ride in a safety seat with a harness as long as possible (40-90 lbs).
• Children who have outgrown safety seats need a booster for proper belt fit (usually age 10-12)
• Auto insurers must replace safety seats that were in use or damaged during a crash.

Refresher on other vehicle and safety laws:

• Drivers and passengers 16 or older must be properly buckled up. Drivers can be ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt and for each unbuckled passenger. Passengers may also be ticketed if not properly buckled up. Fine is more than $100 per person, with penalties. (V.C. 27315)
• Pickup truck passengers must be properly buckled up. The driver may be ticketed for letting passengers ride in the back of the truck. No exemption for camper shells. Cost of ticket can exceed $250, including penalties. (V.C. 23116)
• Children up to 6 years old may not be left alone in vehicle if the health or safety of child is at risk, the engine is running, or the keys are in the ignition. The child must be supervised by someone at least age 12. Cost of ticket can exceed $500. (V.C. 15620)
• Smoking in vehicle is prohibited if child under age 18 is present. Ticket can exceed $500.
• Children under age 18 who are skating or riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
• All motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear a helmet that meets federal standards, fits correctly and has the proper label.

Registering to Vote in California Takes Just a Couple of Minutes Online

The 2016 primary election took place this past Tuesday, June 7th. The U.S. Presidential election is Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

There are currently 412,924 registered voters in Ventura County, consisting of 138,663 Republicans, 169,759 Democrats, 84,615 Non Partisan and 19,887 Other. Turnout for the primary election was 47.76% (updated), which is actually a significant improvement over the Presidential primary in 2012 at 32.9%. But inversely, of course, it means that a majority of registered voters in Ventura County still did NOT vote in the primary.

The estimated 2015 population of Ventura County was just over 850,000, with roughly 70% age 18 and older. This translates into roughly 600,000 residents eligible to vote in Ventura County, This means that for every two registered voters in Ventura County, there is one unregistered voter. It also means that for every voter in the primary, there were two eligible citizens who did not take part in the voting process.

With all that said, it certainly is EASY to register to vote in California. You can register in less than five minutes online at registertovote.ca.gov. And you can also, as I did, re-register if you would like to change political affiliation, or perhaps change to "No Party Preference."

The screenshots below show you the process. You of course must be an 18+ year old U.S. Citizen on election day, a California resident, and not be deemed incompetent to vote nor happen to be a convicted felon in jail or on parole.

California Online Voter Registration - Home Page

Eligibility (1 of 3)

Eligibility (2 of 3)

Eligibility (3 of 3) - If you want no party preference, click the "No" box.

You're done! Easy peasy!

Compilation of 15 Local Conejo Valley Based Charities to Support in the New Year

As we begin a new year, let's take a look at some local non-profit 501(c)3 charities that are doing great things for the local Conejo Valley community!

The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley has supported and promoted the arts in the Conejo Valley since 1969. The non-profit works with the Conejo Recreation & Park District and Conejo Valley Unified School District in supporting local programs including children's music instruction, choral and theatre programs, youth theater, summer concerts in the park, the annual Thousand Oaks Arts Festival and more.

The Conejo Valley based Center4SpecialNeeds ("Bridging the Gaps for Children with Special Needs") offers financial support, educational workshops, networking and other resources for families with children that have developmental disabilities.

The Westlake Village based Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara has provided cancer education, support and hope to thousands of local residents and their families since 1991. Programs are provided free of charge in English and Spanish.

The Conejo Free Clinic’s Medical Services Program serves over 5,000 patients each year with physician and nurse care, lab testing, imaging, prescriptions, referrals and follow up, all without charge.

Established in 1995, the Conejo Open Space Foundation raises funds to promote and maintain the open space and multi-use trails of Conejo Valley.

Founded in 1977, Hospice of the Conejo, is a volunteer hospice and grief support center providing end-of-life services to those of all ages in the community at no cost.

Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank has provided food assistance to friends and neighbors in need since it was founded in 1971.

Based in Thousand Oaks, Musicians on a Mission California provides access to music through instrument "gift-aways," mentorship, and performing opportunities for our youth and members of the community.

Since 1998, the Westlake Village based My Stuff Bags Foundation has given rescued children across the country bright blue individual duffels filled with toys, books, a stuffed animal, school supplies, clothing, personal toiletries, and a security blanked - providing a little happiness and hope to these children.

Conejo Valley based PAUSE4kids was formed in September 1999 and serves hundreds of families with special needs children in the Ventura County area. The organization's goal is to "fill the gaps" by helping to provide whatever is needed for children with special needs that is not now readily available.

With a 13 acre site in Newbury Park, Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship teaches adaptive horseback riding to children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and provides physical, occupational and speech therapy specializing in using the movement ofthe horse to improve specific medical conditions. Since 1994, Ride On has given over 100,000 safe, effective and individualized lessons and therapy treatments and currently serves 200 individuals each week.

Serving the Conejo Valley since 1975, non-profit Senior Concerns serves the senior community and especially frail and special-need seniors, caregivers and families by providing quality programs, appropriate resources and educational outreach. raising funds and developing and administering quality-of-life programs for seniors with special needs. All programs are offered without regard for the ability to pay. Senior Concerns serves Ventura and western Los Angeles counties, special-need seniors, families, health professionals, caregivers and the community at large.

Thousand Oaks based Many Mansions provides well-managed, service-enriched, affordable housing to low-income residents of Ventura County and its surrounding communities. 

The Thousand Oaks Police Charitable Foundation was organized to promote community welfare through support of public safety and volunteer programs.

The United Cancer Advocacy Action Network (UCAAN) is a Thousand Oaks based non-profit founded by a young cancer survivor that provides support, hope and financial resources to cancer patients, warriors and survivors with any form of cancer, any age, anywhere across the country.

This list is just a fraction of the non-profit 501(c)3 organizations that operate in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Fora more comprehensive list, visit the Local Charities section of the site as well as the Local Service Organizations section.

The Parent Project® Training Program for Parents of Adolescent Children - Upcoming Ventura County Classes Available

The Parent Project® was created for parents with difficult or out-of-control adolescents between the ages 11 and 19. Parents learn and practice specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors - truancy, alcohol and other drug use, gangs and other criminal behavior, running away, violence and suicide. Parents are self-referred or can be referred to Parent Project classes by officers in the field, juvenile detectives, diversion programs, court systems, mental health professionals and school officials.

This program is available locally in various Ventura County locations.  Many programs are free or charge only a small fee for a Parent Project workbook. Sessions generally are 10 weeks.

Some upcoming local Parent Project classes as of January 2016 are below. Providers and costs vary. Click the link above to register online for most classes, or call the phone numbers below.

• Camarillo: Camarillo Police Department is offering Monday night sessions 3/14/16 to 5/23/16. No charge for sessions. Workbook $20. Call 805.388-5155
• Moorpark: Moorpark USD is offering Spanish language classes 1/5/16 to 4/26/16 on Tuesday nights from 6:15-9:15PM
• Oxnard: Free Spanish language classes 3/3/16 to 5/12/16 from 6-9PM at Channel Islands High School and 2/2/16 to 4/12/16 at Pacifica High School (both Spanish and English)

Additionally, Loving Solutions is a program designed for parents of 5-10 year olds with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) offered locally from time to time.

Previous sessions have also been offered in Simi Valley, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Ventura and Westlake Village. For more details about the Parent Project program, visit www.parentproject.com.

Ventura County Fire Department Offers Free Car Seat Safety Inspections

For those of you with kids looking for some help in ensuring your child safety seats are properly in place, consider the Ventura County Fire Department Child Passenger Safety Program.

Members of the Department are trained and certified through the National Highway Transportation Safety Association as a Car Seat Safety Technicians. The Program educates parents on proper use and installation of child safety seats. The department provides free car seat inspections, installation guidance, product recall checks and informative literature.

Program locations are near the Camarillo Airport, CHP Ventura, Thousand Oaks, CHP Moorpark and Moorpark Family Resource Center. More information at this link.

Volunteers from the VCFD Child Passenger Safety Program are knowledgeable and friendly!

More on California child passenger seat belt laws and safety information