STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 10
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 Drainage Benefit Assessment 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 Drainage Benefit Assessment 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 Article XIII D of the California Constitution; and
2. Direct staff to proceed with Proposition 218 noticing and assessment ballot proceedings for the proposed Drainage Benefit Assessment District assessments.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed maximum annual assessment rate is approximately $103.09 per Drainage Management Unit (DMU). The proposed annual assessment revenue for special benefit assessments is estimated at approximately $7,115,600 annually and would fund operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, replacement, administration, capital improvements, and reserves associated with the City’s storm drainage and flood control system.
Background:
The City of Lancaster Drainage Benefit Assessment District provides funding for the operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of the City’s storm drainage and flood control infrastructure, including storm drains, catch basins, channels, basins, pump stations, and related appurtenant facilities.
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The existing Drainage Benefit Assessment has not been substantially updated since approximately 1996. Due to increasing operating costs, aging infrastructure, deferred maintenance, capital replacement needs, and regulatory requirements, the City initiated a comprehensive review of the drainage assessment program.
The City retained Harris & Associates to prepare a preliminary engineering analysis and Engineer’s Report evaluating the existing drainage system, annual operating costs, capital replacement requirements, planned capital improvements, and an updated assessment methodology consistent with Proposition 218 requirements.
The proposed assessment methodology apportions assessments using Drainage Management Units (DMUs) based primarily on estimated impervious surface area and relative stormwater runoff contribution associated with each property’s land use and size.
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 storm drainage and flood control system.
The Engineer’s Report estimates annual drainage-related costs of approximately $8.9 million, including operations, capital improvements, infrastructure replacement, reserves, and administration. Approximately 80% of the identified benefits are determined to be special benefits eligible for assessment funding pursuant to Proposition 218.
The proposed maximum annual assessment rate is approximately $103.09 per Drainage Management Unit (DMU), subject to 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.
Attachments:
Resolution No. 26-___ – Drainage Benefit Assessment District Resolution of Intention Preliminary Engineer’s Report – Drainage Benefit Assessment District Notice of Public Hearing and Assessment Ballot