Milpitas council confirms 2025 weed‑abatement assessment list; charges to become property tax liens

The Milpitas City Council on June 17 adopted a resolution confirming the city’s 2025 weed‑abatement assessment report, which will allow the city to place abatement charges as liens on properties and collect them through property tax bills.

Deputy Fire Chief Arthur Belton, acting as the city’s fire marshal, told the council that the city inspected properties, notified owners and — where owners did not remove hazardous vegetation — contracted with the county to abate the nuisance. He said the county’s costs were compiled into an assessment list that will be submitted to the county auditor for collection with property taxes.

Belton said the process follows Milpitas Municipal Code and the California Health and Safety Code, and that owners who abate the weeds themselves may be removed from the list if the property remains compliant for three years. The city mailed notices and published a hearing notice in the local newspaper before the council’s public hearing.

During public comment Voltaire Montemayor urged a collaborative approach between the city and property owners. Vice Mayor Barbara Barbadillo asked staff to confirm there is no separate fine imposed; Belton replied that assessments represent the cost of work and administration and will be attached to property taxes, not imposed as a daily fine.

Councilmember Chua moved to adopt the resolution; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously (Council vote: Barbadillo — aye; Chua — aye; Lam — aye; Lian — aye; Mayor Montano — aye). The confirmed assessment list will be filed with the county and appear on property tax bills per the next tax roll schedule.

The council staff packet included the assessment list and proposed resolution; property owners on the list have the opportunity to raise objections during the hearing process prior to the assessments being finalized.