Landscape, Lighting, and Street Maintenance Services in South Melrose

The maintenance of our public streets in the City of Vista is largely funded through annual special financing district assessments.

Subscribe For Updates

Data Center

Did you know...

South Melrose property owners may be surprised to learn that the maintenance of trees and landscaping on public streets, parkways, and medians is funded through an annual special financing district assessment established in 1989 in which property owners contribute as part of their annual property taxes.

Tree and landscape maintenance includes irrigation, trimming, fertilizing, treating for disease, removal of trimmings, rubbish, debris and solid waste. This provides for the growth, health and beauty of the street landscaping on public roadway medians and parkways along both commercial and residential properties.

South Melrose is facing challenges in maintaining current service levels

Current Assessments Based on 1989 Maintenance Costs

Revenues from the initial annual assessment (based on cost of service in 1989) fall short of meeting today’s landscaping needs.

FACT: The number of trees in South Melrose has increased from 500 to 1,167 over the past 35 years.

The City is exploring options to identify additional funding to maintain current service and incorporating Integrated Pest Management into landscape maintenance practices to reduce the use of pesticides.

Engineer's Reports Detailing Costs/Benefits

In 1989, the Vista City Council approved the formation of the South Melrose landscaping district. Assessments for landscaping services are collected through annual property tax bills to ensure a flow of funds for landscaping maintenance and improvements.

State law requires an Engineers Report with descriptions of the improvements, estimated budget for costs, and the proposed assessments to be levied on each lot or parcel. The full Engineers Report for the existing district can be viewed in the data center.

The Preliminary Engineer’s Report for the Proposed City of Vista South Melrose Landscape Maintenance District will be available here shortly.

Join the conversation

Please subscribe for updates and opportunities to share your priorities as the City works to maintain our current service levels and explore community-desired improvements. This includes incorporating Integrated Pest Management into our landscape maintenance practices, reducing the use of pesticides, and making our community more environmentally friendly. Your participation can make a real difference! Together, we can ensure a brighter, safer, and more sustainable future for the City of Vista.