May 11, 2010

Windsor, Rancho Verde, Kendrick Tracts & Encanto Parkway Neighborhoods to Vote on Special Neighborhood Assessment

Property owners in the Windsor, Rancho Verde, Kendrick Tract & Encanto Parkway neighborhoods will have the opportunity to vote on a possible increase in their current landscape maintenance assessment.

Ballots were mailed on May 6 and will be counted on June 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., when the City Council will hold a public hearing to hear public comment and tally the ballots received. A majority of local properties are not included in this vote; only property owners in the specified neighborhoods are impacted.

The vote will determine the following: 1) the amount of annual assessment billed to the properties in these neighborhoods; and 2) the level of landscape maintenance service that will be provided. The City is charged with the maintenance of landscaped areas in these neighborhoods and will provide the level of service equal to the assessment collected. Historically, these neighborhoods have received a level of landscape maintenance greater than the value of the assessment.

For this vote there will be three choices for level of landscape maintenance service: (1) an increase in the assessment to maintain the existing level of landscape maintenance; (2) a lesser increase in the assessment for a modified but reduced level of landscape maintenance service from the existing level of service; or (3) no increase in the assessment which would reduce the level of landscape maintenance service to a minimal level.

The three choice process requires two ballots. If you are eligible to vote, you will have received a letter that clearly explains the ballot and how to make your selection.

To ask questions regarding the vote or landscape maintenance in general, contact Steve Esbenshade at the City of Duarte, (626) 357-7931 Ext. 233, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.