Frequently Asked Questions

Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts (LLMD) are special assessment districts established under California Law that fund the maintenance, operation, and replacement of shared public improvements that provide special benefit to properties in a defined area. 

North Cordelia LLMD 13 (Green Valley) LLMD funds maintain weeding in natural areas such as creeks, greenbelts, landscaping, irrigation & drainage, and street lighting. 

The City has limited maintenance to essential services, deferred non-critical repairs and limited other services to as needed where feasible to reduce costs. 

District funding has been supported by a General Fund loan of $151,000 at 0% interest with repayment over five years through FY 2027-2028.

You can see the full list of changes here but we have a summary below:

Reduced Scope

• Mowing, edging
• Litter removal
• Pruning of shrubs & trees
• Irrigation inspections
• Pre-emergent & fertilization in select areas
• High weeding

Removed From Budget

• Irrigation repairs
• Pre-emergent & fertilization in select areas
• Pond maintenance

At the formation of the LLMD, a CPI was not included. The City cannot increase assessments without prior voter approval in accordance with Proposition 218. 

Proposition 218 is a California constitutional requirement that governs local property-related assessments, including Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts.

Under Prop 218:

• Property owners must be notified of any proposed assessment or increase
• Each property owner receives a ballot
• Ballots are weighted by the amount of the assessment
• The assessment can only be approved if a majority of ballots (by weighted value) are in favor
• Funds can only be used for specific benefits to the assessed properties

This means:

• No LLMD increase can occur without property owner approval
• The process is transparent and legally structured
• The assessment must directly benefit the properties paying it

A vote has not been scheduled however this is how votes are expected to affect the LLMD:

YES vote:

• Approves new property assessments and district funding
• Approves the formation of a new Green Valley LLMD
• Funds increased plant maintenance and replacement
• Funds preventative care such as weed abatement and needed irrigation repairs

NO vote:

• The current Green Valley LLMD remains in place
• Service reductions will continue 
• Future decline in landscaping and further reduction of necessary repairs
• Repairs and associated costs will continue to accumulate