Funding will address increased maintenance costs driven by rising utility rates.
The Town of Danville has announced preliminary property owner approval of a new town-wide Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District. The newly formed Danville LLAD No. 2025-1 received 57.1% approval from property owners, with 42.9% opposed. The new district, which replaces LLAD No. 1983-1, will go into effect for fiscal year 2025/26.
Following a comprehensive public process that included a detailed engineer’s report to align assessments with the specific property benefit, educational outreach, public meetings, and ballot distribution to all property owners, a public hearing was held on May 20. Voting closed at the conclusion of the public hearing, and tabulation was conducted publicly May 21 at the Danville Town Offices. The final results will be presented to the Council for adoption June 3, and if confirmed, the new district assessments will be submitted to the County Tax Assessor for the 2025/26 property tax roll.
The new assessment district is projected to provide an additional $1.4 million in dedicated funding for the upcoming fiscal year, with use of the funds restricted to maintain parks, street lights, landscaping, and facilities town-wide. The funds will help close a funding gap that grew to $1.7 million in fiscal year 2023/24. Its formation was carried out in accordance with Proposition 218 and the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, which govern assessment procedures for local agencies in California.
The need for additional funding through the LLAD assessment follows more than 20 years of increasing costs with no corollary increase in assessments. The funding gap was largely covered by transfers from the general fund, contributions which had increased 607% since 2003. The new LLAD includes an escalator equal to the Bay Area Consumer Price Index, with a cap of 3% annually.
Before asking property owners for an increase, the Town took every possible step to hold down expenses, including installing solar panels, retro-fitting street lights to LED, replacing landscaping that was too water intensive, and installing more sophisticated water management systems. However, recent increases from utility providers have impacted all property owners, including the Town, and outpaced those efforts. The new district is expected to provide approximately $4.5 million in restricted funds toward associated maintenance costs, which totaled $4.8 million in fiscal year 2023/24.
Assessment Changes
The LLAD is restricted by law to provide funding for the ongoing maintenance and operation of parks, street lighting, and landscaping. Under the new LLAD, single-family homeowner adjustments will range from a $50 reduction to a $150 increase, depending on the parcel location. Each property owner was mailed a ballot specifying their current rate and proposed rate for consideration.
The proposed adjustment is based on findings from a detailed engineer’s report, which is required by law to separate general benefits to the public at large from the special benefits LLAD-funded amenities provide to the property owner. Assessments were calculated using Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) to ensure proportionality. Single-family homes make up about 80% of assessable properties in Danville, and are assigned one EDU, while non-residential properties are assigned EDUs based on their land use type and level of benefit received from LLAD-funded services.
Additionally, the new LLAD updates how apartment complexes are assessed, moving from a parcel-based formula to a per-unit assessment, bringing them more in line with condominiums and townhomes. These adjustments aim to create a more equitable distribution of costs while maintaining quality amenities and services for all.
Property owners in Danville who would like to confirm their new assessment may email LLAD@danville.ca.gov.