FY 2018-19 and 2019-20 Adopted Operating and CIP Budget

Lighting and Landscape District

229.8351

Division Description Lighting and Landscape District (LAD) funds are derived from special property assessments to support City maintenance services in park and landscape areas within residential developments that were originally included in the District. Proper maintenance of the properties benefits the owners. Assessment charges are collected by the County on property tax rolls and remitted to the City. There are currently 20 subareas in the LAD that include a total of 757 properties. Each lot within a specific subarea is assessed the same amount. The City manages the expenses of each of the subareas to maintain a positive fund balance and avoid, if possible, the need for assessment rate increases. Nevertheless, over the past several years accumulated increases in maintenance costs have necessitated an increase in assessment rates. To date, most rate increases have been within the original range of assessment rates set at the time of annexation. For FY 18-19, it is proposed that the assessment be raised for Llagas Obata and Parson’s Corner Assessment District, which is within its current range. For the Fox Hollow district, a reduction in assessment is proposed. District maintenance is done almost exclusively by contract. The level of maintenance at each subarea varies based upon the needs of the subarea and funding available. In some of the subareas, a negative fund balance exists. Pursuant to Prop 218, ballot measures were conducted in some of the subareas in the past that did not pass. City teammates have also reached out to residents of the subareas but in almost all cases residents expressed an unwillingness to increase the assessment rate. In early 2018, residents of the Sandalwood sub-area provided for an increase in assessment cap, improving the situation for this subarea. The City will continue to coordinate with various subareas to attempt to improve the financial situation of the subareas where a negative fund balance exists. As an alternative to increasing funding, maintenance services in the identified subareas will continue at reduced levels limited to annual weed abatement only. This strategy will support reducing these negative fund balances. FY 2016-17 and 2017-18 Accomplishments • Made improvements in several Districts that had a positive fund balance to improve the landscape and safety of the area • Met with several Districts to discuss the overall maintenance of their area and ways to continue to enhance as the budget allows • Worked with Sandlewood Assessment District to increase the assessment to be able to bring them into a positive fund balance and better maintain the subarea

184 COMMUNITY SERVICES

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