Lighting and Landscape District / 534
197
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
FY 15-16
OPERATING AND CIP BUDGET
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
FY 15-16
OPERATING AND CIP BUDGET
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
FY 15-16
OPERATING AND CIP BUDGET
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
FY15-16
OPERATING AND CIP BUDGET
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
FY 15-16
OPERATING AND CIP BUDGET
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
FY 15-16
OPERATING AND CIP BUDGET
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
FY 15-16
OPERATING AND CIP
Lighting and Landscape District [229-8351]
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
Lighting and Landscape District (LAD) funds are derived from special property assessments to support City mainte-
nance services in park and landscape areas within residential developments that were originally included in the Dis-
trict. 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 prop-
erties. 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, as long as possi-
ble, the need for assessment rate increases. Nevertheless, over the past several years accumulated increases in main-
tenance costs have necessitated an increase in assessment rates. To date, the majority of rate increases have been
within the original range of assessment rates set at the time of annexation. For FY15-16, it is proposed that the assess-
ment be raised for five subareas, all of which are within each areas current range. For one subarea, Sunnyside, a re-
duction 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 three of the 20 subareas, a negative fund balance exists. Pur-
suant to Prop 218, ballot measures were conducted in the past, but neither passed thus disapproving an increase in
the assessment rate. As a result, maintenance services in these three subareas continue at a reduced level limited to
annual weed abatement only. This strategy is working to reduce these negative fund balances.
FY 14-15 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Continued to improve the financial strength of the District by aligning costs and expenses per sub areas
Installed significant improvements, where funds allowed, in the landscapes and hardscapes of several subareas
FY 15-16 ACTIVITY GOALS
Make improvements in each subarea where positive fund balances exist
Conduct additional outreach activities, when needed, to better connect residents with their District
COUNCIL GOALS
The Lighting and Landscape District will implement policies and activities that are aligned with the priorities, goals and
strategies the City Council has set for 2015:
Supporting Youth
o Park maintenance activities provide a safe and supportive community that provides opportunities for Morgan
Hill’s youth to succeed and develop their full potential
FINANCIAL COMMENTS
Maintenance services are provided through contract services and are paid by annual assessments from the property
owners benefiting from the improvements. There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or other funds.