Report to City Council
ID: 25-0163 Page 1
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Melissa Walker, Public Works Director/City Engineer
AGENDA DATE: April 1, 2025
TITLE: APPROVAL OF THE STORMWATER PROTECTION
PROGRAM BUDGET FOR COUNTY SERVICE AREA
152 (REPORT OF: PUBLIC WORKS)
TITLE SUMMARY: Approval of the Storm Water Protection Program Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Authorize the Continuation of the County Service Area 152 Assessment Levy
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Approve the County Service Area (CSA) 152 Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in the amount $708,050; and
2. Authorize continuation of the County Service Area 152 Assessment Levy at the prior Fiscal Year rate of $8.15 per Benefit Assessment Unit (BAU) for FY 2025-2026.
SUMMARY
This report recommends approval of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 County Service Area (CSA) 152 Budget in the amount of $708,050 and the authorization to continue the Assessment Levy of the CSA 152 Assessment at $8.15 per BAU (Benefit Assessment Unit), which is the same amount per BAU as the prior fiscal year. For the City of Moreno Valley (City) to receive funding from the Riverside County (County), the City must prepare a CSA 152 Budget for submission to the County by April 30, 2025.
DISCUSSION
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The CSA 152 was formed by County to offset a portion of the costs of the federally mandated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. The County continues to manage the CSA program and applies parcel charges on the property tax bills of parcels, which benefit from the services. The CSA 152 program, as administered by the County, allows for the collection of revenues on the property tax bills to support the NPDES program. The County is the lead agency in administering CSA 152, and the City is a participating agency. In order to continue with the service provided under CSA 152, the City is required to approve the CSA 152 budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in a specific amount (Attachment 1) and approve a CSA 152 Assessment per BAU for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
The CSA 152 funds are eligible to be used for the NPDES program costs identified on the attachment. In addition to CSA 152 revenues, the City has other funding sources (e.g. an approved NPDES Parcel Charge), which are also eligible for specified NPDES program costs. Staff is not recommending an increase of the BAU (Benefit Assessment U nit) assessment beyond the previously approved amount of $8.15. Any increase to the BAU would require a mail ballot process under Proposition 218 and the approval of the property owners.
The CSA 152 Administrative Services Agreement requires the City to ad opt an annual CSA 152 Budget. To ensure the funding is secured and the assessment remains on the tax rolls for FY 2025 -2026, staff recommends Council adopt the CSA 152 budget as presented. The County levies CSA 152 on the annual property tax bill on behalf of the City of Moreno Valley.
Failure by the City to enforce the NPDES program can result in penalties of up to $37,500 per day for noncompliance and/or civil and criminal penalties. This is a federally mandated program administered by the State. There ha s been neither State nor Federal monies specifically allocated to local agencies to address the programs general requirements.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the CSA 152 Budget for FY 2025-2026 in the amount of $ 708,050 and authorize the levy of CSA 152 Assessment a t $8.15 per BAU for FY 2025-2026.
Approval of this alternative ensures that a portion of the funds necessary to support the various storm water management and maintenance programs for the City will continue to be collected.
2. Do not approve the CSA 152 Budget for FY 2025-2026 in the amount of $708,050 and do not authorize the levy of CSA 152 Assessment at $8.15 per BAU for FY 2025-2026. This alternative does not provide for the collection of the assessment on the annual tax rol ls to fund portions of the storm water management and maintenance programs. Not authorizing either the budget or levy will interrupt the assessment and revenue collection process. If the CSA assessment is not approved, another funding source such as the General Fund, would need to cover the expected $708,050 revenue because the NDPES program is mandated by the State with no options to significantly reduce services without the possibility of State issued monetary penalties.
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FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the recommended CSA 152 Budget and authorization of the annual levy will ensure that the City receives its authorized funding from this source. With the implementation of the federally mandated NPDES program, the City uses CSA 152 revenues together with other fun ding sources. The costs associated with the Program are included in the City approved Operating Budget. Approving the CSA 152 Budget will ensure this eligible funding source is available for specific Program costs. Funds collected from the CSA 152 annual levy are restricted for use only within the Storm Water Management programs.
NOTIFICATION
Publication of agenda
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Rae Beimer Melissa Walker, P.E.
Storm Water Program Manager Public Works Director/City Engineer Concurred By: Concurred By:
Adolfo Gutierrez, P.E. Harold Zamora, P.E.
Land Development Principal Engineer Engineering Division Manager/ Assistant City Engineer
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Community Image, Neighborhood Pride and Cleanliness: Promote a sense of community pride and foster an excellent image about our City by developing and executing programs which will result in qu ality development, enhanced neighborhood preservation efforts, including home rehabilitation and neighborhood restoration.
Public Facilities and Capital Projects: Ensure that needed public facilities, roadway improvements, and other infrastructure improvements are constructed and maintained.
Public Safety: Provide a safe and secure environment for people and property in the community, control the number and severity of fire and hazardous material incidents, and provide protection for citizens who live, work and visit the City of Moreno Valley.
Revenue Diversification and Preservation: Develop a variety of City revenue sources and policies to create a stable revenue base and fiscal policies to support essential City services, regardless of economic climate.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
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6. Youth Programs
Objective 4.2: Develop and maintain a comprehensive Infrastructure Plan to invest in and deliver City infrastructure.
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Report Approval Details
Document Title: STAFFREPORT_PW_LDD_CSA152_BUDGET.docx
Attachments: - Attachment 1_CSA 152 FY 25-26 Budget Detail.pdf Final Approval
Date:
Mar 25, 2025
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Melissa Walker
Sean Kelleher
Natalia Lopez
Dena Heald
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Patty Rodriguez