Escalon council begins annual process to reexamine landscape and lighting assessments after residents raise concerns

The Escalon City Council voted to initiate the annual assessment process for five local Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts (LLMDs), directing staff to prepare engineer’s reports and proceed toward a public hearing in June to set final levy amounts.

Finance and public‑works staff presented line‑item assessments and historical expenses for five districts—Sunrise, Bellaterra, Westwood, The Estates (two subdivisions)—and explained how operating and replacement costs have risen. Staff said one district (Sunrise) has no automatic inflator and therefore cannot be administratively increased without a Proposition 218 ballot process; the others include annual inflators spelled out in their formation documents.

Several residents from the Bellaterra district spoke at the meeting and expressed frustration about a steep proposed increase and what they described as poor maintenance in recent years. Natalie Gallegos, a long‑time Bellaterra resident, told the council the additional assessment represented “close to $700 a year additional on our property taxes” for some homeowners after recent property value increases, and said residents feel they have not received maintenance value equivalent to what they were charged.

Staff summarized the engineer's findings: Bellaterra’s assessment revenues were outpaced by rising water costs and recurring maintenance expenses, and its replacement reserve is limited. Staff recommended moving forward with the engineer’s reports and the statutory notice and public‑hearing steps required for final adoption. The engineer/consultant work is required under the Landscaping and Lighting Act (engineer’s report must be signed by a licensed engineer) and the firm that prepares the reports also typically handles county enrollment and administration of the levies.

Council discussed options to improve transparency and resident outreach before final action. Several council members suggested targeted mailers or postcards to affected parcels—paid for within the district budget—so property owners would be aware of proposed changes well ahead of a final hearing. Council also asked staff to include more granular line‑item backup online for the districts and confirmed that, if a district lacks funds for an urgent replacement, the city can advance general‑fund monies and be reimbursed from future district assessments.

After public comment and council discussion the council adopted a resolution initiating procedures for the annual levy of assessments and ordering preparation of the engineers’ reports for the five LLMDs (Sunrise, Bellaterra, Westwood, Estates 223, Estates 224); the motion carried with one dissenting vote. Staff said the next formal public hearing to adopt rates will be held on the June meeting date and that notices and the engineer’s reports will be made available online and by mail to district property owners.

Resident speakers highlighted recurring local concerns: tree roots buckling sidewalks, uneven maintenance of park fences and play areas, and the cost of irrigation and mowing. Staff and council agreed to provide more detail about the line items (water, landscape services, professional services, government charges) and to examine whether contracts and tree species choices are appropriate for local soil conditions. Several council members asked staff to return with options for increased transparency and, where feasible, competitive procurement for landscape services.

The resolution only initiates the Prop 218/engineer‑report process; any final assessment increases will require subsequent notice, a public hearing, and council adoption or a ballot procedure where applicable.