RES 2025031 - Laserfiche WebLink

3 City of Pleasanton Landscape Maintenance District No. 1994-1, Oak Tree Farm Engineer’s Report, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Assessment revenues were lowered in 1999 and then again in 2000 and have remained the same since then, however, over the years, operational costs and utility costs have increased while the assessment revenues have remained the same. Raising the fiscal year 2025-26 total assessment revenue, although a step in the right direction, will not be sufficient to fund the maintenance of all common areas, including water costs, county assessment fees, city administration fees, replacement of plantings, irrigation systems, fencing, lighting, and other district improvements. The Engineer’s Report projects that the City will need to reduce landscape maintenance and necessary capital improvement costs to remain below the assessments. Over the years, operational costs and utility costs have increased, however the assessment revenues have remained the same. The fiscal year 2025-26 total assessment revenue will not be sufficient to fund the maintenance of all landscaped areas, including water costs, county assessment fees, city administration fees, replacement of plantings, irrigation systems, and other district improvements. The Engineer’s Report projects a shortage that will require the City to reduce maintenance. An increase in the annual assessment will be necessary to meet the maintenance standards of the District in the future. The city will be charging administrative time and consultant fees for the Proposition 218-compliant Engineer’s Report, which will cost approximately $9,000, plus staff time, and will need to be funded from the reserve fund. Water costs increased thirty percent in calendar year 2024, another twelve percent in 2025, and are projected to continue to increase in future years to pay for necessa ry infrastructure and treatment costs. The water has been turned off at the Oak Tree Farm LMD because of the state of disrepair of the irrigation system so water rate increases have a limited impact to the Oak Tree Farm LMD, but standard water meter fees still apply and the rate increases will have a significant impact if the irrigation system is restored. Continued cuts in maintenance to pay for the increasing fire management, fence and lighting repair, and necessary tree pruning/removal costs will lower the level of maintenance well below the maintenance standards of the district established by Ordinances 155 and 1892. The majority of shrubs and groundcovers have died and the lack of irrigation places stress on the trees and reduces their ability to weather drought conditions. Without an increase in assessments, the district may be at risk to fines or litigation. To limit liability for the district, it will be necessary for the City to raise assessments to be consistent with the approved formation document rates. Funding from the increased assessment will allow the City to implement necessary facility upgrades and improve maintenance, resulting in decreased liability. For 2024-25 costs/revenues, see Figure 4 – FY 2024-25 Actual Costs and Revenues.