The Irwindale City Council recently considered a proposal to set annual sewer and street lighting assessments within the Irwindale Business Center for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The Irwindale Business Center is a 116-acre industrial development where property owners pay targeted fees to maintain infrastructure that serves their businesses exclusively.
Under the proposal, the assessments would fund the upkeep of sewer systems and lighting improvements contained entirely within the center’s boundaries. According to materials prepared for the council, the improvements are financed by the parcels benefiting from them rather than citywide tax revenue.
Sewer Assessment Considered for 2025–2026
The proposal included setting the sewer maintenance assessment at $1,608.62 per benefit unit. City staff reported that the funding would cover operations, repairs and replacement of sewer mains and a dedicated lift station supporting Business Center properties.
An Engineer’s Report prepared for the meeting outlined cost allocations to each parcel based on lot size. Council members discussed the report but postponed final action to allow time for public comment and further review.
California law requires that such assessments be proportional to the benefits received by each property. Under the proposal, only the Business Center parcels would pay the sewer charges, and the funds would be collected through annual property tax bills issued by Los Angeles County.
Street Lighting Assessment Also Under Review
In addition to sewer maintenance fees, the proposal called for setting the street lighting assessment at $155.33 per benefit unit. These funds would be used for electricity, repairs and routine maintenance of public lighting fixtures installed when the Business Center was developed.
City staff indicated that well-maintained lighting is essential for safety and visibility in the industrial district. The assessment would appear as a separate charge on property tax statements and would not apply to parcels elsewhere in the city.
No Action Finalized
At the recent meeting, the council reviewed the Engineer’s Reports and received a staff presentation but did not finalize the assessments. Officials stated that further deliberation was needed to confirm cost calculations and allow additional time for property owner feedback.
The Irwindale Business Center contains warehouses, distribution centers and industrial businesses built with infrastructure improvements tailored to the development. Because these facilities do not serve the general public, special assessments have been proposed to fund ongoing maintenance.
Future Steps and Public Participation
The City Council is expected to revisit the assessments at a future meeting before the start of the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Property owners within the Business Center will have an opportunity to submit written protests or attend public hearings prior to any formal adoption.
More information, including copies of the Engineer’s Reports and notices of future hearings, is available through the Irwindale City Clerk’s Office and the Irwindale City Council Meetings page.
City officials have stated that maintaining the Irwindale Business Center infrastructure without using general fund dollars remains a priority, ensuring that property owners who benefit directly from these improvements cover the costs.
