1. Authorize staff to initiate proceedings to consider increase in the street assessment for the El Macero County Service Area (CSA);
    
2. Direct staff to mail notice of the public hearing to consider proposed assessment changes for services to property owners in the El Macero CSA at least 45 days before the public hearing, including notification of the process to support or oppose the increased assessment;
    
3. Direct staff to set the time and date of the public hearing to consider the proposed assessment changes and to receive and consider all public comment, and written votes on the proposed assessment changes; and
    
4. Direct staff to prepare resolutions adopting and levying the modified street maintenance assessment for the El Macero CSA in the event the assessment changes are approved.

The El Macero CSA  levies an annual street assessment to provide a source of funding for a higher level of public streets services in El Macero that the CSA would otherwise not be able to fund.  Property owners benefit from the higher level of service through improved aesthetic and driving experience in the neighborhood and enhanced appeal of homes.

The current El Macero street charge of $180 was set in 1994.  At this time, the current $180 charge provides the CSA funds only adequate to provide landscaping and street sweeping services, which costs have increased over the years.  The current amount will not be sufficient to continue to  maintain the higher level of pavement condition that El Macero CSA desires, and requests treatment no less than every 5 to 10 years.

Proposition 218, which was approved by the voters in 1996, implemented substantive and procedural requirements for new and increased assessments and various other types of fees and charges.  The current assessment was grandfathered by Prop. 218, but any increase must comply with Prop. 218's requirements, including the need for an engineer's report documenting the basis for the increased assessment.  County Staff and the CSA Advisory Committee have worked together to finalize the 2020 Engineer's report for El Macero Road Maintenance and Landscaping Assessment (Att A).  Based on the engineer's report, the the proposed new annual assessment of $450.48 per residential property, and $6,892.20 for the El Macero Country Club.

For special assessments, the approval procedure required by Proposition 218 differs slightly from the procedure for approving certain other charges (including property-related fees).  A special assessment is approved only if fewer weighted ballots are returned in opposition to the assessment than those in favor.  By comparison, certain other types of charges covered by Proposition 218 may require approval as a ballot measure, or can instead be approved after completion of a less formal but complicated process that involves both a majority protest and, if no such protest occurs, a mail ballot election (as was the case for certain fees approved in North Davis Meadows in mid-2019).  It all depends on the nature of the charge at issue.