Proposed Renewal of Property Assessment
Nearly one-half of RD 1608’s revenue for levee maintenance comes from an annual property assessment. This assessment was approved by property owners in 2010 and will expire on June 30, 2025. As such, property owners will be asked to vote on a replacement assessment. Voting will be done by mail. Ballots will be sent on February 7, 2025 and must be returned by March 25.
If the proposed assessment is approved by property owners, it will appear on property tax bills beginning in fall 2025. If the property assessment is not approved:
- Levee maintenance services will be significantly reduced.
- The likelihood of a flood will increase over time as levees degrade due to substandard care.
- Ultimately, the levees won’t meet state and federal regulations for flood protection.
- The community will be at risk of being mapped into a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and subjected to mandatory flood insurance.
- The Fourteen Mile Slough levee improvements being proposed by the US Army Corps of Engineers may be in jeopardy, because RD 1608 could not provide assurances that it has the necessary funding to maintain the improved levees to state and federal regulations.
Under CA Proposition 218 law, properties can only be assessed for the benefit they receive from RD 1608’s levee maintenance services. The benefit to properties is the avoidance of flood damages to land, structures and their contents. Each property’s assessment will be based upon the following factors: Land use type, parcel (lot) size, structure square footage, and depth of flooding.
Want to learn more?
- Watch your mailbox in January for more information about the proposed replacement assessment, including dates for a community meeting and public hearing.
- Check this page in early January for our online calculator to look up the proposed assessment for your property.
- Review the Preliminary Engineer’s Report – Maintenance and Capital Services Assessment.
Questions? Contact us!
Phone: (209) 475-7861
Email: [email protected]