Council sets public hearing on park and pool maintenance assessment after consultant Q&A

The city’s assessment engineer, Kyle Tinker of SEI Consulting Group, answered council members’ technical questions on May 20 about a proposed park maintenance and pool assessment that would levy a parcel assessment for fiscal year 2025–26.

Tinker said the engineers’ report quantifies both special benefits to assessed parcels and the general benefit received by non‑assessed users. "If you look at the budget on page 12 of the report, you'll notice that 25% of the total budget must come from other sources to pay for that general benefit that is received by individuals who do not pay into the assessment," he said during the teleconference portion of the meeting. Tinker explained that special benefits for property owners include proximity to improved parks and recreation facilities and improved access; non‑parcel users’ share is accounted for as general benefit.

Councilmembers pressed staff on whether items in the proposed improvement list were realistic for the coming fiscal year and how the listed capital totals related to the assessment calculations. Several members said they were concerned that the budgeted project list included large line items—some drawn from the capital improvement program—that may not be completed in the next year and that presenting large totals could confuse property owners.

After discussion, Councilmember Ridge moved and Councilmember Vega seconded to set a public hearing; the motion passed 5‑0. Staff said they will refine the budget and provide a clearer explanation of how assessment calculations relate to the project list before the public hearing date. The public hearing will be scheduled as required by the assessment‑ballot process and will include the engineer to answer questions at the hearing.