Proposition 218 for Citywide Parks, Landscape, and Lighting Assessment District

Proposition 218 mandates that any new or increased assessments be subject to a vote by the affected property owners, ensuring transparency and public participation in the decision-making process. By pursuing this avenue, Benicia aims to align its funding mechanisms with the current and future needs of its parks, playgrounds, trails, medians, and lighting.

Resources

Memo Identifying Redlined Changes from July 2025 Preliminary Engineer’s Report

Preliminary Engineer's Report (August 2025)

Public Notice for Parks, Landscape and Lighting Assessment District

Signed Resolutions to Initiate Ballot Proceedings

Sample Ballot with Information and Guide

PLLAD Engineer's Report Assessment Roll

About Voting and the Ballot Process

How do I vote?

You’ll receive an official ballot in the mail by August 14, 2025. It must be:

Signed
Marked “Yes” or “No”
Received before the hearing ends on October 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Ways to return your ballot:

Mail it using the envelope provided. Please ensure it arrives before October 14—postmarks don't count.
Deliver it early to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall.
Bring it in person to the October 14 public hearing.

Who can sign the ballot?

If the property is owned by an individual, the individual may sign.
If two or more persons own the property, any co-owner may sign for all.
If the property is owned by a corporation, the ballot may be signed by any corporate officer. It also may be signed by any other person authorized by a resolution or minutes of the corporation’s board of directors or the corporation’s bylaws.
If the property is owned by a partnership, the ballot may be signed by any partner authorized by law. For a general partnership or limited partnership, any general partner may sign.
If the property is owned by a public agency, the ballot may be signed by the chair, mayor, or other head of the governing body. It may also be signed by any other person authorized by a resolution, board order, or minutes of the governing body.
If a property is owned by another legal entity, such as a trust or limited liability company, the ballot may be signed by any person authorized by law to make contracts for the entity.

I own several properties. Why did I get only one ballot?

If you own up to 14 properties with the same mailing address, you’ll receive one ballot listing all of them. When you vote, your choice applies to every parcel listed.

What if a parcel has multiple owners? May the owners vote separately?

You can request separate Proportional Ballots for each owner. You'll need to show ownership and how the property is divided. This only applies if co-owners want to vote differently. Otherwise, one co-owner can sign and vote on behalf of all.

Q&A

What is the proposed Citywide Parks, Landscape, and Lighting Assessment District (PLLAD)?

Benicia is considering a citywide funding system, called a Parks, Landscape and Lighting Assessment District, or PLLAD, that would help support the maintenance and enhancement of parks, trails, open spaces, landscaping, and lighting throughout the City. If approved, all property owners would contribute annually to improve our parks, landscaping, and lighting on street medians and park facilities.

Why is the City proposing a new citywide PLLAD?

Currently, about 25% of property owners contribute to an existing assessment district consisting of five zones. The existing district was created in 1989 and only applies to five out of 28 parks in the City. The existing district does not adjust for inflation and has not kept up with today’s costs for labor, utilities, repairs, or basic supplies. The City currently has $55 million in deferred maintenance on our parks, trails, landscape, and lighting.

The new citywide PLLAD would replace the existing district, and all property owners would contribute to fund the needed maintenance and improvements citywide in our parks, trails, landscape, lighting, and street medians.

What would the funding be used for?

If approved, funding would support better maintenance efforts in parks across the City, ongoing landscaping and lighting maintenance on street medians, and projects like:

Upgrade playground equipment
Add/upgrade shade structures
Upgrade amenities (i.e., tables, benches, BBQ grills, water fountain/bottle filling stations, etc.)
Improve the quality of trails and/or paths
Expand lighting for ball fields at Community Park
Construct synthetic all-weather fields at Community Park
Enhance public restrooms

How would the assessment work?

Each property would pay the assessment based on a concept called a Single-Family Equivalent (SFE). This is a method for estimating the benefits derived from parks, public landscaping, and lighting. A typical house (single-family residence) is assigned one (1) SFE while other property types are assigned more or fewer SFEs based on their property type (condo, commercial, vacant, etc.), number of units, and property size. Each property’s SFE is further adjusted by its location and access to parks, grouped into three zones:

Zone	Distance to Nearest Park	Annual Rate per SFE	Monthly Equivalent
A	Within ½ mile	$208.26	$17.36
B	½ to 1½ miles	60% of Zone A	≈ $10.42
C	Over 1½ miles	20% of Zone A	≈ $3.47

Your ballot will show the specific amount proposed for your property(s). This amount is based on the number of SFEs assigned to your property(s) and adjusted to their applicable zone. The Preliminary Engineer’s Report provides a detailed explanation of the assessment methodology and can be found above.

How were these zones determined?

Zones are based not only on the straight-line distance to a park, but also on practical accessibility. Factors such as major roadways, freeways, and other barriers that affect how easily a property owner can access a park were considered. Therefore, two homes located the same distance from a park might fall into different zones if access to the park differs.

Is this a tax?

No. This is a special assessment, not a general tax. Under California law (Proposition 218), the funds can only be used for specific purposes: maintaining and improving Benicia’s parks, landscaping, and lighting. Not a penny can go to the City’s general fund or other uses.

How is this different from a general tax?

A general tax can be used for any city services. This is a restricted fund and must be used only for the benefit of the properties assessed. The funds cannot be diverted to other purposes or taken by the County or State.

How will the funds be managed and protected?

This is a property-based assessment governed by Proposition 218.

Funds are restricted to parks, public landscaping, and lighting
No funds can go to the City’s General Fund
Annual public review of the budget and spending
Independent annual audits
Public hearing is required each year to continue the assessment

Will the cost go up every year?

If approved, the assessment will begin on August 1, 2026. Each year, the amount may be adjusted based on inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index for the Bay Area), but not to exceed 4%. This helps keep pace with rising costs. Any increase must be reviewed and approved in a public hearing.

Will the assessment go on forever? What are the annual continuation requirements?

Every year, the City must prepare a new budget and an Engineer’s Report and hold a public hearing before continuing the assessment.

What if I already pay into the existing district?

If you live in one of the five existing zones, your current assessment would be replaced by the citywide PLLAD. The proposed change would increase your cost by approximately $5.98 per month ($71.70 per year). Still, it would result in more services and upgrades throughout the City, including in your neighborhood.

What if I don’t currently pay into the existing district?

Currently, many homes located outside the existing district don't contribute to park upkeep, despite still using the parks and trails. The new plan ensures that everyone shares the cost and the benefits.

What happens if this doesn’t pass?

Only the five parks currently covered by the current assessment district would continue to receive funding. Other parks may see delays in maintenance or upgrades. The City would likely have to reduce services over time due to limited funds.

When is the public hearing?

October 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Benicia City Hall – Council Chambers

250 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510

At this hearing, property owners can speak and submit ballots. Results will be announced at the City Council meeting on November 4, 2025.