CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Annual Levy for Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 89-1-C for Fiscal Year 2026/2027
MEETING DATE: July 15, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Lauri Lockwood, Financial Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Travis Hickey, Chief Financial Officer
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution ordering the levy and collection of assessments within the Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 89-1-C (LLMD 89-1-C) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/2027.
DISCUSSION
An Engineer’s Report has been prepared to determine the costs of providing landscape, lighting, and maintenance services, and the corresponding assessments, for LLMD 89-1-C for FY 2026/2027. The proposed adjusted assessment rates are shown in the attached Assessment Schedule.
The process for implementing the adjusted rates commenced on May 20, 2026, when the City Council adopted Resolution of Intention No. 26-1707. The matter now before the City Council is the next and final step in the process – the public hearing and consideration of a resolution ordering the levy and collection of the proposed LLMD assessments in the upcoming fiscal year.
The public hearing notice was published July 5, 2026, in the Press-Enterprise newspaper to ensure the public would be advised of the assessments and the City Council’s upcoming consideration of the matter. In addition, and as required by the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, the proposed resolution can only be acted on after conducting a public hearing.
Adoption of the proposed resolution would confirm the assessments to be levied as indicated in the Engineer’s Report for FY 2026/2027 for LLMD 89-1-C and orders the placement of the annual assessments on the County’s Assessment Roll.
The budgeted expenses for Zone 3 within LMD 89-1-C exceed budgeted revenues this year.
While the assessment for most zones within LLMD 89-1-C adjusts annually at a rate equal to the
City of Menifee Staff Report
Annual Levy for LLMD 89-1-C for Fiscal Year 2026/2027
July 15, 2026
3 4
0 1
greater of the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 2%, Zone 3 does not have the ability to increase rates. This zone is the largest in the City, covering 3,548 parcels on the west side of Menifee. It includes more than 1,620 mature trees and has more water-intensive landscape and older irrigation fixtures. The water budget for zone 3 represents 80% of the total special assessments levied. A turf conversion project has been included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program, with a goal of reducing water use and associated expense within this zone. That work could begin in the fall/winter. For now, to maintain the landscaping and ensure trees are trimmed when necessary for safety, the General Fund would contribute just less than $100,000 in FY 2026/2027 to balance the budget for this zone.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Regular City Business
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the attached resolution would allow the City of Menifee to collect approximately $920,587, which would allow for the maintenance of the parcels within this Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District. Additionally, there would be a cost of $100,000 to the General Fund for Zone 3, which is already accounted for within the approved FY 2026/2027 budget. LMD 89-1- C is being levied at the maximum eligible assessment rate and all available fund balances for zones requiring a General Fund transfer have been used.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Assessment Schedule
3. Final Engineer’s Report – LLMD 89-1-C, Vol. 1
4. Final Engineer’s Report – LLMD 89-1-C, Vol. 2
5. LLMDs Locator Map