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Commission extends Emerald Hills safety district and raises assessment cap after resident vote
Summary
The City Commission on May 6 approved on first reading a proposal to extend the Emerald Hills Safety Enhancement District sunset by 10 years and increase the annual non‑ad valorem assessment cap from $250 to $500 per property following a resident ballot with roughly 24% return and majority support.
The commission approved on first reading May 6 an ordinance to amend ordinances that created the Emerald Hills Safety Enhancement District to extend the sunset date and raise the district's maximum annual non‑ad valorem assessment per parcel. Pat Cerny, city clerk, and David Rubin, chair of the district board, explained residents voted on the measure and that the district's costs — especially for off‑duty police patrols and license‑plate reader systems — had roughly doubled since the district's inception.
Rubin said mailed ballots returned were about 24% of residents in the district with roughly 80% of responses supporting a 10‑year extension and about 68% favoring a maximum of $500 a year. Commissioners asked for clarity on whether the increase would be implemented immediately or phased; Rubin said the board intended modest, incremental increases and would avoid immediate, full hikes if possible.
Chief Jeff Devlin said the district's technology and information sharing benefits the city's policing and that some data (registered owner information and wants/warrants) remain available only to police, not to private district operators. Commissioners asked about procurement terms (lease vs purchase), privacy and the duration of technology contracts; staff said the district currently plans multiyear arrangements for cameras and that the police department typically procures shorter contracts to preserve flexibility as technology evolves.
The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading; staff noted the item will return for final action after the required process.
Proponent quote: "This technology enhances not only the safety in their neighborhood, but safety throughout the city," Police Chief Jeff Devlin said.
Implication: The change increases the district's revenue capacity and extends its operating authorization, enabling continued off‑duty patrols and camera investments. Commissioners and district representatives said they will stagger increases if practicable and provide transparency on contracts and data protections.
