Moreno Valley approves annual parcel charges, lighting and landscape assessments; residents urge caution on costs

The Moreno Valley City Council on May 19 approved a series of routine annual parcel charges and maintenance district assessments for fiscal year 2026–27, including Community Services District parcel levies and lighting and landscape maintenance districts. Staff said most districts will apply only the consumer price index increases authorized in each district’s formation documents (Los Angeles CPI 3.01% for many districts; Riverside CPI 3.28% for recently created districts).

Valerie Arenas Reyes and other staff outlined that parcel charges fund parks, street lighting, landscaping and related maintenance; staff noted some older districts have no CPI inflator and thus rely on a general‑fund contribution to maintain service levels. Staff cited an example where Zone A revenue is estimated at about $5.311 million based on 50,519 parcels and that the applied CPI change in one Lighting Maintenance District added about $1.10 to the applied charge across ~7,243 parcels.

During public comment, Regina Martin said increases compound homeowner hardship amid mortgage, insurance and cost‑of‑living pressures. Ariel Castillo urged the city to prioritize attracting higher‑value businesses and regional attractions rather than relying on parcel assessments. Councilmembers and staff described the legal constraints that govern whether an annual CPI inflator may be applied (it depends on the language approved by electors when the district was created) and noted that the general fund covers some underfunded districts.

All three assessment items on the agenda were approved in recorded votes. Councilmembers said they will pursue economic development strategies in parallel to long‑term budget planning.