Open Space Fee Targeted

Despite a legal challenge now wending its way through thecourts,nearly 300,000 property owners in Santa Clara County, CA will pay a an additional $20 forthepreservation of open space. Officials, however, won't spend the moneyunless they win in court. The lawsuit, which was filed by two taxpayers'groups, argues that the county's Open Space Authority illegallyconducted amail-in election in December to increase the fee, and the results aretainted. In December, county residents narrowly OK'd the fee increasefrom$12 a year to $32 a year per home to preserve more open space.