benefit assessment districts

What are Benefit Assessment Districts? Benefit Assessment Districts are a “property tax” mechanism used by local governmental agencies in California (counties, cities, and special districts) to fund public improvements and services.  Assessment Districts are established for a specific geographical area that receives a special benefit from specific public improvements and services.  In other words, the charge only applies to properties receiving a benefit instead of being applied against all properties within a governmental jurisdiction, as is the case with regular property taxes. What is Special Benefit? Article XIII D of the California Constitution (commonly referred to as Proposition 218) defines