HomeMy WebLinkAboutTUSTIN LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICTTustin
Landscape &
Lighting District
Reassessment
2025
October 7, 2025
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2021 Reassessment Effort
In 2021, staff initiated a reassessment process to increase annual assessments.
Revenue no longer covered annual maintenance costs
Utility costs for water and electricity
Contract landscape and tree maintenance costs
Fund balance had been exhausted to support landscape rehabilitation projects between
2009 and 2020.
The 2021 reassessment did not pass.
Service Reductions
Maintenance services were reduced to align expenses with revenue.
Landscape maintenance reduced from monthly to every 8 weeks.
Tree trimming has been reduced from every 2 years to every 3 years.
Watering is restricted and at times turned off.
Dead plants are removed and not replaced.
All landscape rehabilitation projects have been suspended.
Proposed Work Plan
Incremental service improvements over 5 years:
Increase landscape maintenance frequency
Tree trimming every other year
Tree health program to retain existing trees
Annual landscape rehabilitation projects
Restore watering schedule to ensure healthy plant material all year
Proposed Assessments
Gradual increase in the budget to restore
services over a 5-year period.
Noticed assessments for 5 years.
In year 6, and each year thereafter apply an
increase equal to CPI + 3% to keep up with
utility increases.
Proposition 218 requires voter approval of
any future increase beyond what is proposed
in this reassessment
$7.58 $7.81 $8.63
$106.97 $124.80
$140.01 $149.06
$150.58
$177.40
$9.46 $10.42 $11.45
$171.62 $202.17 $224.21
$201.02 $234.53 $259.78
Community Outreach
Property owner notification
Notice of Public Hearing
B a l lot
Informational Brochure
Dedicated Webpage
Video
What is the Tustin, Landscape
and Lighting District (District)?
The District was formed in 1985 to fund
street lighting and Landscape
maintenance activities in Tustin Ranch.
ALL single-family homes, apartments.
condominiums, shopping centers, and
vacant Land pay an annual assessment
through their property tax bill to ensure
the District Looks its best
Funds are used for
ongoing maintenance
and improvement of
Landscaping and
Lighting along public
streets within
Tustin Ranch.
District's Financial Condition
Since 2021, services have been reduced
to stretch revenues, but expenses
continue to rise, Leaving the District
without funds for routine maintenance
and improvements.
1997-2025
Rates
adjusted
only by
— CPI•
Utility
1 � oasts
a surge
Labor &
wages
rise
Maintenanc
costs
Girl increase
'CPI = Consumer Price Index
Proposed Reassessment District
and Ballot Process
To address the increased maintenance
costs, the City proposes to increase
assessments through the formation of a
new assessment district for property
owners within the existing District.
This new assessment district is subject to
approval under state law Proposition 218,
which requires property owners to vote
on the proposed change through an
official baLLot process.
If supported by property owners, the
assessment funds go directly into the
District and can only be used to fund
improvements within Tustin Ranch.
Use of Funds & Special Benefits
to Property Owners
With increased revenue, the City will be
able to restore service levels and
complete improvement projects in your
neighborhood, such as:
Replacing Expanding
irrigation for
dead plants
healthier
and trees
landscaping
Restoring Maintaining
regular pathway
tree Lighting for
trimming safety
lrr
x
Mare Repair &
frequent replacement
weed and of
litter removal infrastructure
Next Steps
Ballots can be dropped off or mailed to City Hall or submitted during the
public hearing on December 2, 2025. Ballots cannot be accepted once the
public hearing is closed.
Ballot tabulation will begin immediately following the public hearing.
Next Steps
Based on the ballots cast, the City Council will determine whether a majority
protest exists.
If no majority protest is filed, the City Council may, but is not required to,
proceed to adopt a Resolution ordering the improvements and the formation of
the assessment district.
If a majority protest is filed, the proceedings to form the district would be
halted.
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Staff
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution
No. 25-59, which
Approves the Engineer's Report
Declares the City Council's intention to form the
Tustin Landscape & Lighting Reassessment
District 2025, replacing the existing District and
to levy of assessments commencing with Fiscal
Year 2026-2027, if approved by property
owners
Orders the property owner ballot proceeding
Sets a public hearing for December 2, 2025
Remembering what connects us.
Thank You!
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