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Tehachapi council approves Landscape and Lighting Assessment levy with $559,542 general-fund subsidy
Summary
The Tehachapi City Council on a 5-0 vote adopted resolutions approving the final engineer's report and ordering the levy and collection of annual assessments for Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1 for fiscal year 2025–26.
The Tehachapi City Council on a 5-0 vote adopted resolutions approving the final engineer's report and ordering the levy and collection of annual assessments for Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1 for fiscal year 2025–26.
City staff said the final engineer's report sets the district's annual maintenance cost at $978,810.51 but that the amount recoverable on property tax bills is capped at $419,268.44; the shortfall — about $559,542 — will be paid from the city's general fund. "The final engineer's report ... sets the annual maintenance cost for the district at $978,810.51. However, the amount that can be levied through the property tax bills is capped at $419,268.44," staff member Ahmed said during the public hearing.
Ahmed opened the public hearing, noted the report was published and that no correspondence had been received, and recommended the council close the hearing and adopt the resolutions. After limited council comment thanking staff and praising the contractor, BrightView, the council moved to adopt staff recommendations. The motion carried 5-0. A vote roll call recorded affirmative votes from Council member Chung; Council member Davies; Council member Smith; Mayor Pro Tem Power; and Mayor Pobancourt.
Why this matters: the levy funds routine maintenance of public landscaping and lighting in the assessment district. Because state law limits how much can be placed on property tax bills, the general fund subsidy covers the remainder of the engineer‑estimated maintenance budget for the coming fiscal year.
Background and council remarks: council members praised the contracted landscape firm for its work and said the city is fortunate to be able to cover the subsidy. Council comment referenced comparisons with other cities' budgets and cleanliness. Staff packet materials (the final engineer's report and zone descriptions) were cited as the basis for the levy calculation.
Next steps: the resolutions adopted by the council finalize the levy for fiscal year 2025–26 and direct staff to place the assessment on property tax bills to the extent permitted by law. The city will cover the remaining maintenance cost from the general fund as described in the engineer's report.
