Title
HEARING - Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the following Resolutions setting for election measures for various Zones of Benefit within County Service Area 9 for the Uniform District Election scheduled to be held November 4, 2025:
1) Resolution 075-2025 to consider a special tax increase to provide road improvement and maintenance services in the Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch Zone of Benefit 98114 (District 2);
2) Resolution 076-2025 to consider a special tax increase to provide road improvement and maintenance services in the Lynx Trail Zone of Benefit 98130 (Districts 3 & 5);
3) Resolution 077-2025 to consider a special tax increase to provide road improvement and maintenance services in the Meadowview Acres Zone of Benefit 98125 (District 4); and
4) Resolution 078-2025 to consider a special tax increase to provide road improvement and maintenance services in the Walnut Drive Zone of Benefit 98124 (District 4).
FUNDING: County Service Area Zone of Benefit Assessments/Service Charges and Special Taxes. (100%)
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Policy and Procedure Guidelines for Creation and Administration of Zones of Benefit within a County Service Area (Guidelines), amended version adopted June 2, 1987, provided for the Zone Advisory Committee to make recommendations regarding the level of the annual assessments to be placed on the tax roll. Assessments were set annually by Resolution of the Board, as allowed under County Service Area laws at the time. On September 10, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0845), the Guidelines were amended for, among other things, consistency with current state laws and County practices regarding benefit assessments and special taxes.
The Department of Transportation (Transportation) has received election requests from four (4) Zone of Benefit (zone) advisory committees.
Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch Zone of Benefit 98114
On April 30, 1985, the Board of Supervisors formed the Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch Zone of Benefit No. 98114, by Resolution 91-85 for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance services.
Prior to November 6, 1997, the effective date of Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California state constitution, also known as Proposition 218, the zone advisory committee recommended an assessment to fund zone operations at $100 per parcel.
On July 23, 1996, a mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the advisory committee to increase their benefit assessment to $200 per parcel. Measure A was presented to the electorate of the zone and did not receive the required two-thirds majority vote approving the increase. The benefit assessment of $100 per parcel remained in effect.
On July 21, 1998, a mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the committee. Measure N was presented to the zone electorate and received the required two-thirds majority approval. An annual special tax of $150 on each parcel of real property within the zone replaced the benefit assessment and has been collected annually since fiscal year 1998-99.
Subsequent mailed ballot elections were conducted for the zone electorate to consider an increase to the annual special tax amount of $150 per parcel. On June 17, 2003, Measure F for consideration of a $250 annual special tax amount failed. On May 6, 2014, Measure M for consideration of an annual special tax of $365 also failed.
The Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch advisory committee long ago determined that the existing $150 annual special tax amount per parcel is not sufficient to provide the level of maintenance services desired by the residents and property owners in the zone.
At the November 19, 2024, general meeting, the Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch advisory committee reiterated that the existing $150 annual benefit assessment per parcel is not sufficient to provide the level of maintenance services desired by the residents and property owners in the zone. The committee and residents recommend the County conduct an election for the registered voters in the zone to consider increasing the special tax to $450 per parcel with annual adjustments tied to the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index.
The zone's committee provided the agenda and minutes from the November 19, 2024, meeting, which reflect the recommendation for the ballot measure.
The Registrar of Voters has determined four hundred seventy-six (476) voters are registered to vote within the Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch zone boundaries. Upon Board approval of the Resolution setting the measure for election, the measure will be included on the ballots distributed to the zone electorate for the scheduled election on November 4, 2025.
Lynx Trail Zone of Benefit 98130
On July 29, 1986, the Board of Supervisors formed the Lynx Trail Road Zone of Benefit No. 98130 by Resolution 231-86 for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance services. The first year, fiscal year 1986-87, zone operations were funded through an annual benefit assessment of $433 per parcel.
Prior to November 6, 1996, the effective date of Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California state constitution also known as Proposition 218, the zone of benefit advisory committee recommended an assessment/service charge to fund zone operations at $150 per parcel.
On June 9, 2004, a mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the Lynx Trail Road Zone Advisory Committee. Measure T was presented to the electorate of the zone and received the required two-thirds majority approval. An annual special tax of $300 on each parcel of real property within the zone replaced the benefit assessment.
On March 3, 2020, a mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the committee to consider an increase of $200 annually to the per-parcel special tax, for an annual special tax amount of $500 per parcel for road maintenance services in the zone. Measure L was presented to the electorate of the zone and failed to receive the required two-thirds majority approval. The annual special tax of $300 on each parcel of real property within the zone continued to be collected.
On November 8, 2022, another mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the committee to consider an increased special tax of $450 per parcel. Measure M was presented to the electorate of the zone and failed to receive the required two-thirds majority approval. The annual special tax of $300 on each parcel of real property within the zone has continued to be collected.
During the September 28, 2024, general meeting, the Lynx Trail Advisory Committee reaffirmed that the existing $300 special tax amount per parcel is not sufficient to provide the level of maintenance services desired by the residents and property owners within the zone. The committee and residents recommend the County conduct an election for the registered voters in the zone to consider increasing the special tax to $450 per parcel. The advisory committee has not recommended the special tax be subject to annual adjustments based on an official index.
The zone's committee provided the agenda and minutes from the September 28, 2024, meeting, which reflect the recommendation for the ballot measure.
The Registrar of Voters has determined one hundred three (103) voters are registered to vote within the Lynx Trail zone boundaries. Upon Board approval of the Resolution setting the measure for election, the measure will be included on the ballots distributed to the zone electorate for the scheduled election on November 4, 2025.
Meadowview Acres Zone of Benefit 98125
On August 6, 1985, the Board of Supervisors formed the Meadowview Acres Zone of Benefit 98125, by Resolution 213-85 for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance services.
Prior to November 6, 1997, the effective date of Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California state constitution, also known as Proposition 218, the zone advisory committee recommended an assessment to fund zone operations at $300 per parcel.
On May 7, 2013, a mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the advisory committee to replace their $300 benefit assessment with an increased special tax amount of $350. Measure B was presented to the electorate of the zone and received the required majority vote approving the increase. The special tax amount of $350 per parcel has been collected annually since Fiscal Year 2013/2014.
At the February 12, 2025, general meeting, the Meadowview Acres advisory committee determined that the existing $350 annual special tax per parcel is not sufficient to provide the level of maintenance services desired by the residents and property owners in the zone. The committee and residents recommend the County conduct an election for the registered voters in the zone to consider replacing the current special tax with an increased special tax of $450 per parcel. The advisory committee has not recommended the special tax be subject to annual adjustments based on an official index.
The zone's committee provided the agenda and minutes from the February 12, 2025, meeting, which reflect the recommendation for the ballot measure.
The Registrar of Voters has determined one hundred seventy-nine (179) voters are registered to vote within the Meadowview Acres zone boundaries. Upon Board approval of the Resolution setting the measure for election, the measure will be included on the ballots distributed to the zone electorate for the scheduled election on November 4, 2025.
Walnut Drive Zone of Benefit 98124
On August 6, 1985, the Board of Supervisors formed the Walnut Drive Zone of Benefit 98124, by Resolution 212-85 for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance services.
Prior to November 6, 1997, the effective date of Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California state constitution, also known as Proposition 218, the zone advisory committee recommended an assessment to fund zone operations at $100 per parcel.
On July 23, 1996, a mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the advisory committee to replace their $100 benefit assessment with an increased benefit assessment of $325. Measure W was presented to the electorate of the zone and received the required majority vote approving the increase.
On November 5, 2024, a mailed ballot election was conducted at the request of the advisory committee to replace their $325 benefit assessment with an increased annual special tax amount of $685 per parcel. Measure C was presented to the electorate of the zone and failed to receive the required two-thirds majority vote approving the increase.
At the February 13, 2025, general meeting, the Walnut Drive advisory committee verified that the existing $325 annual benefit assessment per parcel is not sufficient to provide the level of maintenance services desired by the residents and property owners in the zone. The committee and residents recommend the County conduct an election for the registered voters in the zone to consider replacing the current benefit assessment with an increased special tax of $685 per parcel. The advisory committee has not recommended the special tax be subject to annual adjustments based on an official index.
The zone's committee provided the agenda and minutes from the February 13, 2025, meeting, which reflect the recommendation for the ballot measure.
The Registrar of Voters has determined one hundred sixty (160) voters are registered to vote within the Walnut Drive zone boundaries. Upon Board approval of the Resolution setting the measure for election, the measure will be included on the ballots distributed to the zone electorate for the scheduled election on November 4, 2025.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve all, or some, of the Resolutions setting the measures for election. While there is no guarantee the measures will pass, without the elections there is no opportunity for the voters in the zones to consider the measure to increase funding for zone activities.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
Registrar of Voters
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund nor change to Net County Costs. The estimated cost for conducting each election is approximately $1,500. Actual costs will be determined on a time and materials basis and will be paid from the respective zone funds.
There are two hundred sixty-four (264) parcels in the Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch Zone of Benefit, each subject to the current special tax of $150 annually, for a total zone revenue of $39,600. Should the measure receive the required two-thirds majority votes in favor of the increase, the annual special tax of $450 per parcel will result in an annual revenue of $118,800, an increase of $79,200 annually for zone operations. Should the measure fail to receive the two-thirds majority vote, the annual special tax will continue to be collected at $150 per parcel, with the annual revenue to the zone remaining at $39,600.
There are seventy-four (74) parcels in the Lynx Trail Zone of Benefit, each subject to the current special tax amount of $300 annually, for a total zone revenue of $22,200. Should the measure receive the required two-thirds majority votes in favor of the increase, the annual special tax of $450 per parcel will result in an annual revenue of $33,300, an increase of $11,100 annually for zone operations. Should the measure fail to receive the two-thirds majority vote, the special tax will continue to be collected at $300 per parcel, with the annual revenue to the zone remaining at $22,200.
There are ninety-four (94) parcels in the Meadowview Acres Zone of Benefit, each subject to the current special tax amount of $350 annually, for a total zone revenue of $32,900. Should the measure receive the required two-thirds majority votes in favor of the increase, the annual special tax of $450 per parcel will result in an annual revenue of $42,300, an increase of $9,400 annually for zone operations. Should the measure fail to receive the two-thirds majority vote, the special tax will continue to be collected at $350 per parcel, with the annual revenue to the zone remaining at $32,900.
There are seventy-five (75) parcels in the Walnut Drive Zone of Benefit, each subject to the current benefit assessment/service charge of $325 annually, for a total zone revenue of $24,375. Should the measure receive the required two-thirds majority votes in favor of the increase, the annual special tax of $685 per parcel will result in an annual revenue of $51,375, an increase of $27,000 annually for zone operations. Should the measure fail to receive the two-thirds majority vote, the benefit assessment/service charge will continue to be collected at $325 per parcel, with the annual revenue to the zone remaining at $24,375.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on one (1) original Resolution for each approved.
2) The Clerk of the Board will provide one certified copy of the Resolution to the Department of Transportation, attention Zones of Benefit, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Priority: N/A
Action Item: N/A
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation