Lincoln council adopts annual assessments for stormdrain and landscaping districts

The City Council of Lincoln on June 9 adopted two sets of resolutions to finalize assessments for neighborhoods covered by the city's Benefit Assessment District No.1 and for the larger Landscaping and Lighting District (LAD) No.1.

City planning staff, represented by Mr. Medel, said the Benefit Assessment District No.1 was formed in 2005 to fund operations and maintenance of flood and storm drain improvements serving Lincoln Crossing, Aken Ranch, Cresley Grove and Lincoln Highlands. For fiscal year 2627 staff estimated annual collections of $95,430 and told the council the proposed rates do not exceed the maximums set when the districts were formed. The council conducted a public hearing, received no public testimony, and approved the two resolutions related to the district by unanimous vote.

On the LAD, staff reported that the district, formed in 1982 and now covering roughly 40% of city parcels, is projected to collect about $3,916,760 in fiscal year 2627. Staff said proposed rates do not exceed the maximum established at formation; the presentation also noted a growing funding gap that requires general-fund support. Council members pointed out a map labeling error (zone five mislabeled) and asked staff to correct it. After no public testimony, the council separately adopted both required LAD resolutions, also by unanimous vote.

The adopted actions finalize the assessment diagrams and order the levy and collection of assessments; staff will submit the assessments to the county before the June 30 deadline. Council also instructed staff to return with further analysis and recommendations on strategies to address growing LAD deficits and any corrections to the published diagrams.

The council's action preserves the status quo assessment rates while signaling follow-up analysis on long-term LAD funding and the distribution of deficits across zones.