TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Matt Loesch
SUBJECT: Maintenance District
Budget Reports for Fiscal
Year 2026-2027
DATE: May 11, 2026
Approved
Date:
5/18/26
COUNCIL DISTRICTS: 2, 3, 4, 8, & 10
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution:
(a) Approving the Annual Budget Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for City of San José Maintenance Districts 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, as filed or modified by the City Council, and confirming and levying the individual assessments for each Maintenance District, as filed or modified by the City Council; and
(b) Directing the Director of Public Works to deliver the assessment roll to Santa Clara County for collection with property taxes.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The San José Municipal Code requires City Council approval of a budget report for each of the City’s 13 maintenance districts. These districts are authorized to assess the property owners for services that provide “special benefit”, and if any “general benefit” is determined, the City must contribute to the district from “generally available funds” to cover that benefit. By consensus of the property owners assessed in these districts, the annual adjustment formulas are not to exceed the average annual change in the Consumer Price Index. The budget tables provided in each report are the same as those proposed in the 2026-2027 Operating Budget. Approval of the recommendation provides the continued maintenance of enhanced public improvements funded through the levy of special assessments.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/2/26
FILE: 26-648
ITEM: 2.16
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Maintenance District Budget Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
BACKGROUND
Maintenance Districts deliver services that exceed the City’s baseline standards for landscaping. The baseline landscaping standard is supported as a General Fund expense, whereas an enhanced standard justifies the additional assessments Maintenance Districts require to deliver a higher level of landscaping services. The City has two landscape design standards for public landscaping, described as Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is a lower maintenance design which, in general, includes trees and hardscape, rocks or mulch around the trees without shrubs or ground cover. The Type 1 design is used in landscape areas maintained with the General Fund. Type 2 landscape features are a higher-level design standard that generally include trees, shrubs, and flowers, and could contain other decorative features such as fountains and lakes. Type 2 landscape features are financed through the Maintenance District assessments.
For Type 2 landscape features, the City has established various special districts to provide enhanced services that are not covered by the General Fund. Certain special districts (i.e., maintenance districts) require separate approval of the impending fiscal year budget by City Council and must be accomplished prior to the County of Santa Clara’s typical August 5 deadline for placing items on the County of Santa Clara’s property tax bills. Although there are other districts (i.e., community facilities districts) that maintain Type 2 landscape, this report only covers the City’s maintenance assessment districts, which maintain many of the Type 2 public improvements that provide special benefits to the parcels served. Since the maintenance of these enhanced facilities directly benefits the individual parcels within the district, rather than the City as a whole, the maintenance costs are assessed to these same parcels.
There are currently 13 maintenance districts in San José. Each includes an annual inflationary adjuster approved by the property owners in compliance with the San José Municipal Code and current legislation.
ANALYSIS
The San José Municipal Code requires annual City Council approval of a budget report for each maintenance district, confirming the assessments in the report, and directing that the assessments be collected with the County of Santa Clara’s property taxes.
While these reports must be approved separately, the maintenance district budgets are also included in the City’s 2026-2027 Proposed Operating Budget.
The 13 maintenance districts included in this action are shown in Attachment A - Maintenance Districts Location Map and described in Attachment B - Maintenance Districts Summary Table. Each district’s Annual Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 will be on file in the City Clerk’s Office prior to the City Council meeting. Each report will include:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Maintenance District Budget Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
1. The maintenance budget;
2. A description of the maintenance items and services;
3. Any property configuration-related changes;
4. The annually adjusted assessments;
5. The assessment roll; and
6. The assessment diagram (map).
Annual assessment adjustment formulas approved by the property owners for these districts allow adjustments to the maximum assessment that do not exceed the annual change in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Consumer Price Index, which for this upcoming fiscal year is 2.29%. None of the City’s maintenance districts will exceed this index. Of the 13 districts, 11 will be assessed the maximum assessment. As the Consumer Price Index has not been keeping pace with contract renewals and water cost increases in current market conditions, several Maintenance Districts and Community Facilities Districts are facing fiscal challenges and have been drawing on reserves. Reserves in a few districts are nearly depleted and require an infusion of funds. Services have already been reduced, but rising costs and unanticipated corrective maintenance projects have severely impacted district reserves over the years.
Despite concerted cost reduction efforts, expenditures continue to exceed maximum assessments. This will necessitate future actions such as service alterations, reductions, or the lengthy and expensive process of a potential special balloting process to increase assessments in the financially challenged districts.
Current legislation establishes that assessment districts are only authorized to assess for services that provide “special benefit” to a property within the district. The engineer’s report for each district formed must therefore identify that “special benefit,” and it must also determine any “general benefit” that might exist. If “general benefit” is determined, the City must contribute to the district from generally available funds to cover that benefit. Since City standards require minimally landscaped median islands on some of the streets in Maintenance Districts 2, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22, a City contribution is required. The median islands in Maintenance Districts 1, 5, 13, and 18 are for decorative purposes only; therefore, no City contribution is required for these districts. However, in Maintenance District 15, there is an additional City contribution of $22,118 for the maintenance of stormwater treatment in Zone I. The City previously agreed in 2012 to allocate this contribution from the Storm Sewer Operating Fund.
The following table lists estimated costs for the minimal landscape maintenance that the City would provide if these maintenance districts did not exist. Accordingly, the City will contribute the same amount to each maintenance district as outlined in Table 1 below:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Maintenance District Budget Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Table 1 – City Contribution to Maintenance Districts
MAINTENANCE DISTRICT CITY CONTRIBUTION
2 $2,408
8 $2,353
9 $23,480
11 $6,354
15 $38,754*
18 $5,000**
19 $6,195
20 $21,461
21 $8,996
22 $35,223
* In Maintenance District 15, special benefit Zone I includes the maintenance of stormwater quality treatment improvements. Of this amount, the City contributes $22,118 from the Storm Sewer Operating Fund (446) to cover the proportionate share of stormwater treatment associated with the public streets within the zone.
** In Maintenance District 18, through the Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department maintenance budget, the City will pay the water bill (approximately $5,000 annually) for joint service to the central area of the district and the City’s Metzger Ranch. This will compensate the district for the general benefit landscape maintenance service it provides for the grounds around the Metzger Ranch house and barn, preserved as a City historical site.
Each City Council resolution to approve a district report will also:
1. Confirm that the annual assessment does not exceed the annual change in the Consumer Price Index
2. Confirm the individual assessments as proposed or as modified by City Council
3. Direct that any required City contributions be made
4. Direct the Director of Public Works to deliver the assessments to the County of Santa Clara for collection with property taxes
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
No additional follow-up action with the City Council is expected at this time.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Maintenance District Budget Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
FISCAL IMPACTS
This City Council action only relates to the property assessments for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027. The assessment revenue is shown in the source and use of funds for each district’s budget. The budgets are considered by City Council as part of the City Operating Budget hearings.
1. AMOUNT OF RECOMMENDATION: All costs for the maintenance districts will be paid by the property owners within the districts by a direct benefit assessment against each benefiting property, with the exception of City general benefit contributions.
2. COST ELEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027: For all maintenance districts, the total budget as reflected in the 2026-2027 Proposed Operating Budget is as follows:
SOURCE OF FUNDS
Beginning Fund Balances
Reserve for Encumbrances $ 1,693
Unrestricted 3,572,660
Transfers
General Fund*
MD 2 2,408
MD 8 2,353
MD 9 23,480
MD 11 6,354
MD 15 16,636
MD 19 6,195
MD 20 21,461
MD 21 8,996
MD 22 35,223
Storm Sewer Operating Fund
MD 15 22,118
Revenue
Interest 91,550
Taxes and Special Assessments 3,690,300
TOTAL SOURCE OF FUNDS $ 7,501,427
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Maintenance District Budget Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
USE OF FUNDS
Expenditures
Non-Personal/Equipment $ 2,323,350
Overhead 308,373
Personal Services 1,172,614
Transfers
City Hall Debt Service Fund 2,810
Ending Fund Balances
Reserve for Encumbrances 1,693
Retiree Healthcare Solutions Reserve 0
Unrestricted 3,692,587
TOTAL USE OF FUNDS $ 7,501,427
*Excludes Maintenance Districts 1, 5, 13, and 18 because the medians in those districts are for decorative purposes only.
Assessment revenue is received from the County of Santa Clara in January and June in approximately equal payments. As the initial amount for each fiscal year is received seven months after the start of that fiscal year, ending fund balances must be large enough to cover the complete funding of encumbrances for maintenance contracts plus seven months of all other operating costs. All districts have infrequent but major maintenance needs, such as the repair or replacement of fountains or structures, so replacement funds are accumulated in the ending fund balance.
3. SOURCE OF FUNDING: 352 – Maintenance District No. 1 Fund 354 – Maintenance District No. 2 Fund
357 – Maintenance District No. 5 Fund
361 – Maintenance District No. 8 Fund
362 – Maintenance District No. 9 Fund
364 – Maintenance District No. 11 Fund
366 – Maintenance District No. 13 Fund
368 – Maintenance District No. 15 Fund
372 – Maintenance District No. 18 Fund
359 – Maintenance District No. 19 Fund
365 – Maintenance District No. 20 Fund
356 – Maintenance District No. 21 Fund
367 – Maintenance District No. 22 Fund
4. OPERATING COSTS: The recommendations contained in this memorandum are in compliance with the City Council-approved Budget Strategy. Any enhancements to service levels in these districts will be funded by assessments in these districts.
Despite concerted cost reduction efforts, expenditure continues to exceed maximum assessments in several districts that will necessitate future actions to either adjust service or increase assessments.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Maintenance District Budget Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Budget Office, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, and Transportation Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City Council Agenda website for the June 2, 2026 City Council meeting. The Annual Budget Reports are filed in the City Clerk’s Office for public review and will also be made available to the property owners within the districts upon request.
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No board, commission, or committee recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-009, Staff Reports, Assessments, Annual Reports, and Informational Memos that involve no approval of any City action.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
MATT LOESCH
Director of Public Works
For questions, please contact J. Guevara, Deputy Director of Public Works, at [email protected] or (408) 535-8300.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Maintenance Districts Location Map
Attachment B – Maintenance Districts Summary Table
ATTACHMENT A
Maintenance Districts Location Map
B - 1
DISTRICT
NAM
E
&
YEAR
FORMED
CD* MAINTENANCE
SERVICES
LOCATION /
BOUNDARIES LAND USE ASSESSMENT
LEVY / MAX
GENERAL
BENEFIT
CONTRIBUTION
MD 1
(Los Paseos)
1979
10 Pedestrian
pathway
landscape
North: Monterey Hwy.
East: Cheltenham Wy.
South: Santa Teresa Blvd.
West: Bernal Rd.
Residential /
Commercial
$108,499** $108,534** $0
MD 2
(Trade Zone –
Lundy Ave)
1977
4 Median island
landscape
Park strips
Mini parks
North: Trade Zone Blvd.
East: WPRR
South: Mc Kay Dr.
West: SPRR
Residential /
Industrial
$106,695 $106,707 $2,408
MD 5
(Orchard –
Plumeria)
1979
4 Median island
landscape
North: Montague Expy.
East: N. 1st St.
South: Trimble Rd.
West: Guadalupe River
Industrial $112,292 $112,292 $0
MD 8
(Zanker –
Montague)
1980
4 Median island
landscape
Park strips
North: Montague Expy.
East: Montague Expy.
South: Trimble Rd.
West: N. 1st St.
Industrial $137,767 $137,767 $2,353
MD 9
(Santa Teresa
– Great Oaks)
1981
2 &
10 Median island
landscape
Frontage
landscape
North: Monterey Hwy.
East: Bernal Rd.
South: Santa Teresa Blvd.
West: Cottle Rd.
Residential /
Industrial /
Commercial
$217,470 $217,559 $23,480
MD 11
(Brokaw Rd.
– Junction to
Old Oakland)
1984
3 &
4 Median island
landscape
North: Fox Ln.
East: Ringwood Ave.
South: Coyote Creek
West: Junction Ave.
Residential /
Industrial /
Commercial
$94,931 $93,935 $6,354
MD 13
(Karina –
O’Nel)
1985
4 Median island
landscape
North: Guadalupe Pkwy.
East: N. 1st St..
South: Brokaw Rd
West: Hwy 101
Industrial $68,336 $68,336 $0
* Council District
** MD 1 receives ad valorem tax estimated at $370,000 from County tax collections.
ATTACHMENT B
Maintenance Districts Summary Table
B - 2
DISTRICT
NAME
&
YEAR
FORMED
CD* MAINTENANCE
SERVICES
LOCATION /
BOUNDARIES LAND USE ASSESSMENT
LEVY / MAX
GENERAL
BENEFIT
CONTRIBUTION
MD 15
(Silver Creek
Valley)
1992
8 Trail, slope, and
conservation
area landscape
Median island
landscape
Sidewalk and
parkstrip
landscape
Stormwater
quality
treatment
measures
Enhanced street
lighting
Sound walls
Emergency
vehicle access
areas
North: Yerba Buena Rd.
East: San Felipe Rd.
South: Silver Creek Valley
Rd.
West: Hwy 101/Hellyer
Ave.
Residential /
Commercial
$1,889,149 $2,136,807 $16,636
$22,118***
MD 18
(The
Meadowlands)
1998
8 Entrance and
slope landscape
Pedestrian Path
Street-side of
sound walls
North: The Villages
East: Urban service
boundary
West: San Felipe Rd.
South: Richmond Ranch
Residential $111,968 $140,384 $5,000****
MD 19
(River Oaks
Area
Landscaping)
2001
4 Median island
landscape
Parkstrip
landscape
Special paving
North: River Oaks Pkwy.
East: Coyote River
South: Montague Expy.
West: N. 1st St.
Residential /
Commercial
$211,039 $211,042 $6,195
* Council District
*** Storm Sewer Operating Fund Contribution
**** PRNS maintenance budget pays water bill
ATTACHMENT B
Maintenance Districts Summary Table
B - 3
DISTRICT
NAME
&
YEAR
FORMED
CD* MAINTENANCE
SERVICES
LOCATION /
BOUNDARIES LAND USE ASSESSMENT
LEVY / MAX
GENERAL
BENEFIT
CONTRIBUTION
MD 20
(Renaissance-
North First)
2001
4 Median island
landscape
Frontage
landscape
Sound walls
North: Nortech Pkwy.
East: Rose Orchard Wy.
South: Tasman Dr.
West: Guadalupe River
Residential /
Industrial
$79,101 $79,112 $21,461
MD 21
(Gateway
Place Airport
Parkway)
2002
3 Median island
landscape
North: Hwy. 101
East: N. 1st St
South: Sonora Ave.
West: Guadalupe Pkwy.
Industrial $126,865 $126,870 $8,996
MD 22
(Hellyer Ave –
Silver Creek
Valley Road)
2002
2 &
10 Median island
landscape
North: Hwy. 101
East: Hellyer Ave.
South: Silver Creek Valley
Rd.
West: Coyote Creek
Industrial $90,085 $90,086 $35,223
* Council District
ATTACHMENT B
Maintenance Districts Summary Table