Council adopts resolution of intent for Santee Roadway Lighting District levy; $16 annual assessment referenced

The Santee City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution approving the engineer’s report and declaring the council’s intent to levy assessments for the Santee Roadway Lighting District for fiscal year 2025–26. Staff said the annual levy amount shown in the report is $16 per parcel in the levy zone and that the levy primarily covers electricity, maintenance and long‑term replacement costs for the city’s roadway lights.

A public speaker asked several detailed questions about the proposal, including where the planned twenty new lights referenced in the engineer’s report would be located and why a $500,000 capital figure appeared in materials. Staff replied that the program replaces and maintains existing lights and that the capital portion in the engineer’s report reflects funds used over time to improve or expand lighting; the staff presenter said specific locations for additions would be identified later as funds accumulate and that the engineer who manages the lighting program was not present at the meeting.

Councilmembers and staff told the speaker that the current action was the initial step in a multi‑step process that includes a future public hearing on the assessment levy, and that staff would provide additional details in subsequent reports and at the public hearing. The council approved the resolution of intent and set the public hearing process to continue the assessment review.

The council record shows the motion carried unanimously with Councilmember Trotter absent. Staff said most assessment revenue pays ongoing electricity and maintenance costs, with a smaller capital portion used periodically for light replacement and targeted expansions.

Staff indicated it would add additional project‑level and location information to the staff report for the announced public hearing so that property owners can see where new fixtures would be installed if an expansion moves forward.