Council approves preliminary engineer reports, levies for four lighting-and-landscape districts; agrees split on new maintenance position

The El Centro City Council on Tuesday approved a package of preliminary engineer reports and maximum levy amounts for four lighting‑and‑landscape districts (LLDs) — Buena Vista, Legacy Ranch, Lotus Ranch and El Centro Town Center — and agreed that assessment revenues should pay half the cost of a proposed parks maintenance position.

Interim Finance Director Liz (named in the meeting materials as interim finance director) told the council staff met with parks supervisors to finalize service levels and budgets and proposed two funding scenarios for a new Park Maintenance Worker II: a full salary charged to the districts or a 50/50 split with the city’s general fund. The council supported the 50/50 approach, which staff said would allocate about $37,000 of the position’s annual cost across the four districts.

The council also considered improvements and levy scenarios for each district. Notable items: Legacy Ranch — a small set of parcels that benefit from a larger park area — is the only district recommended to receive partial Measure P support if council proceeds; staff recommended the council authorize Measure P pay up to $100,000 toward half of a basketball court at Legacy Ranch and charge the district 50% of the maintenance position. Counselors and staff noted the Legacy Ranch levy would be high because only 43 parcels are in the assessment area.

Council members reviewed parcel counts and fund balances presented in the engineer’s reports: Buena Vista (465 parcels) would see a maximum levy near $173 per equivalent dwelling unit under the 50/50 personnel split; Lotus Ranch (newer subdivision) was proposed to begin levies now so the district can build a fund balance before a full park is constructed; the El Centro Town Center district is mostly commercial and staff said its fund balance is healthy.

Councilor discussion focused on fairness across beneficiaries. One council member urged the city to use Measure P to supplement Legacy Ranch because neighboring areas that benefit from the park do not pay the assessment; the mayor signaled support for Measure P assistance, and council adopted resolutions approving the engineer’s reports and directing staff to proceed with notice and the June public hearings required to finalize levies. Each resolution passed on separate roll calls with a recorded 5-0 vote.