Benicia council authorizes city manager to cast city ballots on parks assessment measure

The Benicia City Council on a unanimous vote authorized the city manager to sign and cast ballots on behalf of the city’s 58 parcels for a proposed citywide parks, landscape and lighting assessment district under Proposition 218. The resolution was adopted after a staff presentation and more than an hour of council questions and public comment.

City staff told the council the proposed district would generate $1,800,000 annually — an increase from the current roughly $400,000 — and would dedicate about $788,000 a year for capital improvements, leaving the balance for maintenance and utilities. “It will generate a total of $1,800,000,” presenter Mario Giuliani said while walking through the engineer’s report and proposed budget. Staff explained the $208 annual assessment for a Zone A single-family parcel, reduced rates for condos and multiunit buildings, and legal constraints in Prop 218 that control how assessments and ballots are structured.

The measure would expand the existing limited district, which staff said has been frozen since 1989, and allow the city to fund deferred maintenance across 28 parks and more than 700 acres of trails. Staff said the assessment would yield an additional $1.4 million beyond current revenues and that capital reserves could be reimbursed over time — for example, staff cited using $2.5 million in reserves on a larger field project that the district would later reimburse.

Public speakers gave mixed reactions. One resident asked the council to split the city’s 58 parcel votes 29–29 so the city would not “neutralize” the votes of voters who might oppose the measure; another urged clearer, earlier communication about parcel maps and ballot instructions. Tony Morgano, who identified himself as a long-time resident, urged the council to “focus on building trust” and better explain what projects are certain versus illustrative. Staff replied that ballot instructions and parcel assessments reflect state law (Prop 218) and offered a phone line and lockbox options for ballot return.

Council members debated fairness, the city’s role in casting ballots for property it owns, and the mechanics of rate adjustments. Councilmember Scott asked how assessments would translate to projects such as turf fields; staff said the $208 rate provides the budget for capital improvements with specific projects and timing to be determined by future council decisions. Staff also noted assessments would not be collected until August 2026 if the district is approved, with the first full-year revenue realized in August 2027.

The council adopted the resolution directing the city manager to vote and sign ballots on behalf of city-owned parcels. Staff said the public hearing on the district remains open through the night of Oct. 14, after which no more ballots may be accepted and counting will begin in the Commission Room. The city will mail additional informational materials and hold outreach events to explain rates, parcel zones and how to request split ballots.