Downey : Homeowners Receive Street Lighting for Free This Year

Downey homeowners won’t be paying anything for street lights this year, because the city has found enough money in its reserves to reduce tax assessments.

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a reduction in assessments for its six lighting zones, including residential, commercial and the Stonewood shopping center.

Public works department officials estimate routine repair and maintenance of the city’s 5,322 street lights will cost about $1.1 million this year. The reserve fund balance for street lighting is $959,627.

“We concluded our reserves were either too high or high enough to reduce the charges,” city engineer Robert Brace said.

Director of Public Works Richard Redmayne said most homeowners paid $5.67 and most industrial and commercial property owners paid $77.32 last year. This year, owners of the city’s 33,543 homes, apartments, duplexes and mobile homes will not be taxed for street lighting. Owners of industrial and commercial lots will be charged from $4 to $14. “Everyone shares in the cost of safety lights and signals,” Redmayne said.

The assessment will be about 35% less than last year. Residential property owners with four or less units will pay $11.70, and landlords with five or more units will be assessed $7.02. Commercial and industrial property owners will be charged $6.73 for every 10,000 square feet, down from $9.72 last year.

The tax decrease will appear on Los Angeles County property tax bills this fall.