Possible Renewal of Assessments Ahead For Street Lighting, Landscaping

Photo by Aaron Castrejon.

City leaders tonight will discuss and vote on the process to begin levying assessments against property owners to pay for service costs related to street lighting maintenance, energy costs and landscaping.

Proposed assessments for the fiscal year 2015-2016 are said to fund both the Streetlight Maintenance District No. 1 and Landscape Maintenance District No. 1, which the city said costs incurred by the entities have risen due to increased utility charges and other expenditures.

During this months-long process, the city will issue ballots to affected property owners who are serviced under both districts to vote on the proposed assessments.

Street lighting assessments vary from property to property and is calculated on location, land use, number of dwelling units and lot size.

Within the Landscape Maintenance District No. 1 there are 17 areas managed. Assessments vary on the quantity of resources used, the level of services provided and the number of properties in a certain area.

Assessed properties under Streetlight Maintenance District No. 1 are located on streets with public  street lights, as well as gated communities served by public perimeter street lighting.

Based on actual expenditures, rates may increase for both districts to a maximum by an annual inflation adjustment based on the property owner-approved Consumer Price Index, City Staff said.

Cities are granted the power to levy assessments against property owners under the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 under the Streets and Highways Code.

The resolutions going before the City Council will direct staff to prepare documentation outlining proposed assessments.

After public postings and planned public hearings, the resolutions may or may not be renewed in late June.

Learn more about both districts

The City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 116 E. Foothill Blvd.