THE DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS SPECIAL TAX SURVEY
In February 2026, the Department of Public Works mailed a survey to all PRD13A property owners. Click to see the Special Tax Survey Letter
One of the survey questions was:
“A special tax election is required by California law in order to increase the tax for PRD13A. The current annual tax rate is about $150 per property each year. If there was a ballot measure to increase the rate to around $2,000 per property per year, how would you vote?” “Yes or No“
The next question was:
“If adequate funding is not secured for PRD13A, Board policy supports dissolving the Permanent Road Division and returning any existing fund to property owners. Would you support dissolution of PRD13A?” “Yes or No”
128 surveys were returned, 70% of respondents voted to retain PRD13A. What would a dissolution mean? No information provided - - many thought it would mean that the County would take PRD13A’s roadways back under their umbrella, which is not correct. NEITHER OF THESE OPTIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE. During the survey period, Dr. Shrewsbury responded to many questions from his neighbors about this and did his best to explain what havoc a dissolution could cause. We have asked DPW our questions about the ballot and they still have not answered them.
CSPRD agrees that revenue needs to be increased but is challenging both the timing (with the November election) and amount per parcel that is currently proposed. We will continue to push for more transparency about these matters.
Without understanding the financial impacts of postal balloting vs. mid-term balloting, we respectfully requested that the San Diego County Department of Public Works and the Board of Supervisors consider a standalone ballot focused solely on this issue, supported by adequate resident education.
Why can’t we increase the CEILING of the per-benefit assessment from $50 to $500 for instance? Wasn’t that offered in June 2025, the “special assessment”? Or increase the number of “benefit units” each property is assessed for?
What happened to loan and grant availability?
With a Special Tax, will our current assessments remain in place?
Whether special tax or assessment can be linked to Cost of Living to avoid a re-ballot at a later date as costs rise?
How long are we obligated at the proposed amount? $5m was to fund a 10-year repair program.
Then what? Another costly election for the PRD?
Following escalation of the issues by Steve to the Director of San Diego County Department of Public Works “DPW,” and a further reorganization of the PRD oversight team under the Head of the Transportation Division, there has been a noticeable improvement in communication with our PRD for which we are grateful.
The new DPW PRD Management team promise “accountability and transparency” both of which were lacking previously. We hope to work constructively and collaboratively with them as they tackle the challenges that we (and other PRDs) face.
Did reporter Shannon Handy ever hear back from the entities she left messages for? The County Spokesperson? Desmond’s office? The SDC Water Authority?