Voting has opened for property owners to cast ballots on the proposed Monrovia Citywide Lighting, Landscaping, and Parks Maintenance District, which officials said is necessary to issue property tax assessments to cover a budget shortfall.
Ballots began mailing out Friday, with the voting open until Nov. 18 when a City Council hearing on the proposed district is scheduled.
The proposed district would replace the two existing tax-assessment districts that have funded streetlights, traffic signals, landscaping and park upkeep since the 1990s. The existing Lighting and Landscaping and Park Maintenance districts no longer generate enough revenue to cover rising costs, officials said.
The total “budget less general benefit contribution” for these services is roughly $3.6 million, with the “amount assessed to properties” totaling more than $1.8 million resulting in a budget shortfall requiring subsidy from the city’s General Fund of just over $1.8 million, according to the city.
“If approved by voters, the new district will provide a stable and self-sustaining structure to maintain these services, protect property values, and allow the City to keep investing in safety, accessibility, and long-term neighborhood improvements,” a city statement said.
City Manager Dylan Feik said If the district is approved, property owners will receive higher tax assessments “in a phased-in approach” over the next five years. After that, property taxes will cover the full cost of the assessment district.
New tax assessment rates will phase in gradually over five years, with the city covering part of the cost during the new district’s first few years.
On gauging how much taxes will rise, Feik said “average” land parcels containing under five units currently pay $140.14. Most stakeholders will have to pay between $101-$400 by the fifth year of increases
The first year should increase by approx. 50%, and then the subsequent 4 years should increase by approx. 12.5% each additional year until we reach 100% of the total needed.
According to city documents, 8,278 Monrovia properties have less than five residential units.
Earlier this month the City Council unanimously voted to put the proposed district on the ballot.
Information, timelines and an interactive map of proposed rates, are available on the city’s website.
A full list of all proposed property tax assessments is also online.
Updated Sept. 30, 2025, 9:42 a.m.
