TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Bob Moehling, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: James Ozouf, Senior Civil Engineer, CIP
SUBJECT:
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Parcel Charge for National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Program
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ABSTRACT
Adoption of Resolution No. 26-4920 will allow the City of Murrieta to continue its participation in the Community Service Area 152 program. The County of Riverside will continue levying an annual parcel charge on each developed parcel within the City. Levies collected are used for maintenance of storm drains, catch basins, and street sweeping.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4920, entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of Murrieta, California, Requesting that the County of Riverside Levy the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Community Service Area 152 Parcel Charge and Requesting Continued Participation in Community Service Area 152;
Direct the City Clerk to certify approval of the resolution and submit a certified copy to the County of Riverside; and
Amend the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget to match the estimated levy amount.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On March 15, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 22-4533, requesting that the County of Riverside continue collecting the parcel charge in the amount of $10 per Benefit Assessment Unit (Vote: 5-0).
On April 4, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-4656, requesting that the County of Riverside continue collecting the parcel charge in the amount of $10 per Benefit Assessment Unit (Vote: 5-0).
On April 2, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-4729, requesting that the County of Riverside continue collecting the parcel charge in the amount of $10 per Benefit Assessment Unit (Vote: 5-0).
On March 4, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-4813, requesting that the County of Riverside continue collecting the parcel charge in the amount of $10 per Benefit Assessment Unit (Vote: 5-0).
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
The City Council’s goal of planning, programming and creating infrastructure development is associated with this administrative priority.
DISCUSSION
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a permit program, regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, addressing water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States. In 1993, the City of Murrieta (City) annexed into Community Service Area (CSA) 152 to fund the City’s participation in the NPDES program. Following the passage of Proposition 218 on November 5, 1996, the County of Riverside has continued to allow CSA 152 to be utilized by the City, provided that the following requirements are met:
• An annual parcel charge will be levied;
• The parcel charge to be levied meets the requirements of Proposition 218; and
• Annually, the City passes a resolution requesting continued participation in CSA 152.
In accordance with Proposition 218, the number of Benefit Assessment Units (BAU) has been assigned to each parcel based on the land use of the parcel and the anticipated benefits received. The number of BAUs per parcel is dependent on the usage. The County of Riverside has established a formula that has been used to ensure the parcel charge complies with Proposition 218. The $10 per BAU parcel charge is the same as the one levied in the previous fiscal year and is capped by Proposition 218. All developed parcels within the City will pay the same levy charge of $10 per Benefit Assessment Unit. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26, 33,220 assessor parcels were assessed, for a total assessment amount of $546,772.19.
For FY 2026/27, it is estimated that 33,475 parcels will be assessed due to additional parcels being developed, and it is estimated that the assessed amount will be approximately $552,000.
Each year, in accordance with the administrative services agreement with the County of Riverside, 6% of the total assessed amount is paid to the County of Riverside to carry out administrative services. The City is expected to receive the remaining amount of approximately $519,000, which will be utilized for maintenance of storm drains, catch basins, and street sweeping in the City. The funds are also used to finance the implementation agreement with Riverside County Flood Control District, which satisfies some of the NPDES permit requirements as governed by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.
PUBLIC NOTICING
This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
CEQA AND REGULATORY OVERVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
FISCAL IMPACT
The parcel charge of $10 per Benefit Assessment Unit (BAU) is projected to generate approximately $519,000 for the City. The projected revenue is budgeted in the FY 2026/27 Operating Budget in the NPDES fund account. Staff recommends an amendment to the FY 2026/27 Operating Budget based on the FY 2026/27 assessment.
ATTACHMENTS
ATT 1 - Resolution No. 26-4920