Mello Roos Concerns Prompt Meeting In Lake Elsinore

Lake Elsinore residents who have questions about Mello Roos they are paying are invited to an informational meeting for answers.

Residents in Community Facilities District 88-3, which encompasses housing tracts around McVicker Canyon Park, are invited to the Jan. 31, 7 p.m. meeting scheduled at the Lake Elsinore Senior Activity Center, 420 East Lakeshore Drive.

Lake Elsinore City Attorney Barbara Leibold, as well as city staff and consultants, will be on hand to take questions and address concerns.

Some residents in CFD 88-3 are worried they are being overtaxed.

CFDs seek public financing through the sale of bonds to pay for public improvements and services in the community, such a schools, parks, etc. Those living in a CFD pay off the bonds through special taxes commonly known as Mello Roos.

Concerned resident Dianne Chavarria spearheaded the Jan. 31 meeting. She contends there is a discrepancy on when the CFD 88-3 bonds mature.

“The city claims the bonds were always for 30 years, and all the builders told everyone the taxes would only be for 20 years,” she said.

The city contends there are no improprieties.

According to the city’s 2011-12 annual report on its CFDs, there were 2,005 developed properties in CFD 88-3. The special tax rate levied against homeowners was between $1,504.96 and $2,631.68 that year, depending on home size, the report shows.

According to Chavarria, approximately 50 residents are planning to attend the Jan. 31 meeting.

The city is incurring costs for staff time, consultant time, city attorney time and room-rental fees for the meeting.

Chavarria is asking residents to call her if they plan to attend the event: (951) 245-0049.