TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Brian Ambrose, Community Services Director
PREPARED BY: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
SUBJECT:
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Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District Levy of Annual Assessments
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RECOMMENDATION
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Conduct the Public Hearing;
Adopt Resolution No. 25-4865 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Confirming Assessments and Providing for Annual Assessment Levy for Fiscal Year 2025/26 in the City of Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District; and
Authorize the City Clerk to file the assessment roll with the County Auditor.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On May 6, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-4829 ordering the preparation of the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the Consolidated Landscape and Lighting District (Vote: 5-0).
On May 6, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-4830 approving the Engineer’s Report for the Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District and declaring the City’s intention to levy and collect assessments for Fiscal Year 2025/26 in the City of Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District and setting a public hearing for July 1, 2025. (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Maintain a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability and organizational efficiency.
BACKGROUND
On May 6, 2025, the City Council of the City of Murrieta (City) adopted Resolutions No. 25-4829 and 25-4830 to initiate proceedings allowing for the levy and collection of annual assessments to be placed on the County tax rolls for parcels within the city limits. The proposed assessments are based on the estimated costs and expenses associated with the regular annual maintenance, operation, and servicing of the landscaping and lighting improvements within each Zone that resulted from the development of properties within the Community Services District (CSD).
For Fiscal Year 2025/26, the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District (Consolidated District) consists of 30 primary benefit zones and one (1) zone as dormant (activated only should the HOA fail), and four (4) zones representing a total of 13 sub-zones. Each of the corresponding zones and sub-zones funds specific improvements that benefit parcels within those zones and sub-zones. The parcels receiving this assessment are identified by their own Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN). The County Auditor/Controller uses APNs on the tax roll to identify properties charged for this special district benefit. The improvements and the costs of those improvements are identified and budgeted separately for each zone based on the planned services, operation, administration, and maintenance of the Consolidated District improvements authorized under the provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Part 2 of Division 15 of the California Streets and Highways Code (hereinafter referred to as the Act).
Prior to Fiscal Year 1999/2000, local landscaping and lighting improvements associated with new developments and various areas of the city were funded by rates and charges levied through the City’s CSD. These specific improvements are still provided and funded through the CSD today. Although the City could have continued using the CSD as the mechanism for maintaining local landscaping and lighting improvements, it was recognized that the CSD was not the most efficient way to address the rapid development within the City. Therefore, between Fiscal Year 1999/2000 and Fiscal Year 2003/04, the City formed various landscaping and lighting districts under the provisions of the Act and the California Constitution Article XIIID, to address local improvements associated with these developments.
In Fiscal Year 2003/04, the City consolidated the 17 original districts into a single district pursuant to Section 22605 (d) of the Act and established the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District. As part of the consolidation, the original districts were established as zones, and any benefit zones within those original districts were established as sub-zones. The consolidation was a necessary step toward reducing the administrative complexities of multiple staff reports and resolutions for each district to be reviewed and adopted each year. The consolidation did not directly impact or change the maximum assessment rates previously approved by the property owners.
The annual assessments associated with local improvements are budgeted separately for each zone and charged to only those APNs or parcels that benefit from those improvements and services. With the formation of each original district and annexation into the Consolidated District, an annual adjustment of two (2) or three (3) percent was approved by the property owners. The annual assessment for each zone varies based upon the services received and the number of parcels within that zone from $71.72 for Zone 22 streetlights only to $1,626.94 for Zone 3 for full maintenance and streetlights of that industrial/commercial area. While some of the zones have no increases for the next fiscal year, those with increases range from $2.10 to $81.62 annually. Please refer to the charts on pages 47-49 of the 2025/26 Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for each zone and sub-zone assessment. The July 1, 2025 Public Hearing is scheduled for the consideration of any protests or objections in reference to the annual levy of assessments, to the extent of the maintenance services, and any other matters affecting those property owners.
Notice of the public hearing was published in the Press Enterprise on May 17, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City of Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District proposed levy amount for Fiscal Year 2025/26 is estimated to be $5,118,864.58. The levy and collection of these annual assessments will pay for the costs associated with the services provided by the CSD. The revenue and expenditure budgets for each district are included in the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 25-4865
2. 2025/26 Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the City of Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District