Monrovia staff propose citywide assessment district to cover parks, lighting and landscaping costs

MONROVIA, Calif. — At a special study session Tuesday, Feb. 18, Monrovia city staff presented a proposal to combine the city’s Park Maintenance District (PMD) and Lighting and Landscape Maintenance District (LLMD) into a single citywide assessment district to fully cover the cost of maintaining streetlights, traffic signals, trees, landscaping and city parks.

Ray Bowman, deputy administrative services director, told the City Council that the city is subsidizing the two existing districts and that a combined district would be designed “to comply with state law and be sufficient to cover all costs to maintain and operate our street lights, traffic signals, trees, landscaping, and our soon to be nine parks.” Bowman said the proposed rate design was prepared by an engineer working with NBS, the city’s assessment administrator.

Why it matters: The city estimates the two districts together produce a recurring annual deficit—about $1,850,000 according to staff—paid from the general fund. The proposed single district would apply Proposition 218 procedures, require mailed ballots and a majority-weighted protest vote, and would shift the ongoing cost from the general fund to parcel assessments if approved by voters.

What staff presented: The proposal combines PMD and LLMD into one district and…