STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 13
5/26/2026
TN
Date:May 26, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From:Patti Garibay, Director - Community Development
Nicole Jones, Manager – Community Development
Subject:Proposed Increase and Expansion of the City of Lancaster Lighting Maintenance District and Initiation of Proposition 218 Proceedings
Recommendation:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 26-___ declaring the City Council’s intention to levy and collect assessments within the City of Lancaster Lighting Maintenance District, preliminarily approving the Engineer’s Report, ordering the mailing of notices and assessment ballots, and setting the time and place for a public hearing pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 and Article XIII D of the California Constitution; and
2. Direct staff to proceed with the Proposition 218 noticing and assessment ballot proceedings for the proposed Lighting Maintenance District assessments.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed maximum annual assessment rate is approximately $156.21 per Benefit Unit (BU). The proposed annual assessment revenue for special benefit assessments is estimated at approximately $9,605,589 annually and would fund operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, replacement, administration, and improvement of street lighting and related facilities within the City’s Lighting Maintenance District.
Background:
The City of Lancaster Lighting Maintenance District funds the operation, maintenance, and servicing of public lighting facilities throughout the City, including streetlights, poles, fixtures, luminaires, electrical systems, and related appurtenant infrastructure. 2 3
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The existing Lighting Maintenance District assessment is insufficient to fully fund ongoing operations, maintenance, infrastructure replacement, and long-term capital needs associated with the City’s aging lighting system.
The City retained Harris & Associates to prepare a preliminary engineering analysis and Engineer’s Report evaluating the existing lighting infrastructure inventory, annual operating costs, infrastructure replacement requirements, reserve needs, and an updated assessment methodology consistent with Proposition 218.
The preliminary analysis identified increasing operating costs, aging infrastructure, deferred replacement needs, and the need to transition legacy and high-pressure sodium lighting systems to more efficient LED systems.
The proposed assessment methodology apportions assessments using Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs), frontage exposure, land use intensity factors, and benefit zones associated with proximity to lighting improvements and enhanced lighting areas.
The proposed assessment program would continue assessments on existing benefited parcels at updated rates and would also apply assessments to additional parcels identified as receiving special benefit from the City’s lighting infrastructure.
The proposed assessment may include annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim region.
If approved, notices and assessment ballots will be mailed to affected property owners at least forty-five (45) days prior to the public hearing.
Attachment:
Resolution No. 26-___ – Lighting Maintenance District Resolution of Intention Preliminary Engineer’s Report – Lighting Maintenance District Notice of Public Hearing and Assessment Ballot