Glenbrooke News

By now, you should have received your property tax bill.  If it's been a while since you closed escrow and signed all those papers, you may have forgotten what all those Mello Roos levies were, or wondered how they might change in the future. I know I did.  After a little internet searching, here's a bit of what I found:

A nice overview of Elk Grove's community service districts,  and pretty complete details of each levy.  None of the levies are based upon the value of the property; each has rates set for certain kinds of property.

The largest levy was for "Laguna Ridge 2005-1 CFD", which  covers the infrastructure component of  streets, wastewater systems, potable and non-potable water systems, drainage systems, landscaping, parks and parkway facilities, and other public facilities.   Bonds have been issued, with interest rates that gradually increase to a maximum of 5.25%. We are being assessed the maximum amount allowed for  Age-Restricted Housing,  $1061.20 this year. Property owners to the immediate North and East of us are paying almost 50% more. Levies can increase  by 2% each year.   For more data see the disclosure statement required by the SEC (in pdf format).

The second portion of the Laguna Ridge levy was labeled "Laguna Ridge Services District", and has a $741.72 per unit maximum, although our actual tax amount was  $277.72. This levy is for landscaping maintenance.

See the Laguna Ridge Service Map, a pdf, for more details.

The next largest  levy was the "City of Elk Grove CFD 2003-02", for public safety.

Provision is made to adjust the levy annually by the lesser of the Local Consumer Price Index, or by 5 percent. The actual adjustment was about 3.7% over the last two years, bringing our levy to $368.74.  I know our neighborhood watch crew would like you to get full value for this levy, and call the non emergency number 714-5115 to report suspicious activities whenever you observe them in the neighborhood.

And the last levy I will review is the  "Elk Grove School Dist MR - CFD No. 1", which supports infrastructure for the Elk Grove Unified School District. You may have paid either  $200.00 or $60.00. Those  65 or older or disabled, having no school-age children living at home, are eligible for a 70% reduction, but you have to apply for it every year between April 15 and June 30. Contact the school district at (916) 686-7562 for the form if you are eligible.