Santee council approves engineer’s report to begin assessments for roadway lighting district; $16/year levy, map of new lights to follow

The Santee City Council on May 14 approved a resolution accepting the engineer’s report and declaring the council’s intention to levy assessments for the Santee Roadway Lighting District for fiscal year 2025–26.

Staff said the proposed assessment is roughly $16 per parcel per year within the levy zone and is intended to cover ongoing electricity, maintenance and long‑term capital replacement; the engineer’s report also lists capital costs for replacement of existing infrastructure and an increase that would fund about 20 new lights in the district over the year. The district’s Zone B would cover about 80 percent of the city.

Councilmember and residents asked where the new lights would be located. City staff said the levy funds both the routine operating costs and an accumulated balance to permit future improvements; staff explained that the program replaces or expands existing streetlights and that a specific list of locations for the new lights is developed after levy collection and as capital needs are prioritized. “The budget includes… electricity, maintenance, and things like that,” a staff presenter said. Another staff member noted the item is a first step and that a public hearing would follow with a staff report providing more detailed location information.

Council approved the action and set the required public hearing for the levy process; staff agreed to provide additional detail on light locations in the next staff report and to follow up with councilmembers who requested specific maps.

The council’s vote on the motion was unanimous among members present. The resolution begins the formal assessment process; a future hearing will finalize any levy and the list of capital improvements.