Tuesday, March 10, 2015


Foothills Sentry


Santiago Hills residents question the why’s and wherefores of proposed rate hike


By Tina Richards A survey sent by the City of


Orange to homeowners in San- tiago Hills and Hillsdale, regard- ing a proposed increase in fees for landscape maintenance, re- vealed a number of questions and concerns residents have about the costs and funding sources for the care of their common areas. While most Orange neighbor-


hoods are maintained by Mas- ter Homeowners Associations, Santiago Hills is not. When the community was built in 1987, the developer did not establish a homeowners association, but worked with the city to create a special assessment district that would collect fees for landscape maintenance. While homeown- ers in other neighborhoods pay monthly dues to an HOA, which


Volunteers are the true superhe-


roes of the Tustin community. As a tribute to these valued contribu- tors, join Tustin’s nonprofit orga- nizations, community and busi- ness leaders, elected officers, and others in celebrating their service at the Superheroes of Tustin Com- munity Volunteer Recognition


in turn maintains common land- scaping and facilities, Santiago Hills residents pay an annual fee that appears on their property tax bill. Orange manages those funds, and contracts for land- scaping, hardscaping and light- ing maintenance. The annual assessment has


not increased since it was es- tablished in 1987, and it is no longer enough to handle routine watering, trimming, weed abate- ment or new plantings, let alone repairs to an infrastructure that is nearly 30 years old.


Fees, not taxes Many surveyed residents ques-


tioned the need for an increase in fees, as they already pay city taxes, and have higher property taxes due to Mello-Roos assess- ments. City spokesman Paul


Luncheon, sponsored by the Tustin Community Foundation. The event will be held at Trin-


ity United Presbyterian Church, 13922 N. Prospect, on Friday, March 20. Check-in opens at 10:30 a.m. when silent auction items, pictures and entertainment will be- gin. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens will


Sitkoff explains that the Santiago Hills assessment is a fee, not a tax, and that taxpayers do not fund the neighborhood’s land- scaping. He also explains that Mello-Roos was created to pay for infrastructure in new devel- opments, not maintenance.


In


fact, many homeowners in San- tiago Hills paid off their Mello- Roos assessment several years ago. Survey respondents also ques-


tioned the city’s management of the assessment fees. “How do we know where our money is going?” several asked. Sitkoff points out that every dollar paid into the assessment account is kept separate from the city’s general fund. An audit report is released every year, and can be found on Orange’s website. Funds are used to maintain turf,


Superheroes live in Tustin


be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $30, or $25 per per-


son for a table of 10; recognized volunteers are free. Sponsorships are available. To recognize a su- perhero from your organization, church or school, or to register, call (714) 721-0337 or see tustin- communityfoundation.org.


Oakridge Private School


19111 Villa Park Road, Orange, CA 92869 714-288-1432 - www.oakridgeschool.org


SUMMER CAMP


June 29th - August 28th Grades: Jr. K - 5th


On & Off Campus Fun!


Preschool through 8th Grade Family Owned Since 1980


* Seven Acre Facility * Step Up To Writing * National Test Scores in Top 10 Percent


* Small Class Size Promotes Individual Success


* K-8th Spanish, Music, Drama and Computer


* Mandarin Chinese Preschool-4th Grade * Honor Classes * Two Computer Labs * iPad and iPod Technology


* Character Building and Bible Classes FACILITY #304370649


ORANGE COUNTY’S RESIDENT PSYCHIC


714.669.8410 mrsleespalmreader.com


Licensed, certified, and truly gifted Psychic & Certified Life Coach.


shrubs, ground cover and trees, irrigation, concrete walkways, stairs and railings, lighting, wa- ter and electricity. Because the Santiago Hill’s assessment has remained constant, while costs have increased, the city has been forced to reduce services. The high cost of water, for example, means the area’s common areas are irrigated less frequently.


Go native A number of Santiago Hills


homeowners suggested battling the high cost of water with a drought-tolerant landscape. The city agrees with the concept, but Sitkoff notes that, right now, the district can’t afford the initial capital costs of replacing the cur- rent greenery with drought-toler- ant plants. Orange is, however, looking for grant money to fund


Constitution will begin at the March 19 meeting of Orange Republican Women, Federated (ORWF) when featured guest speaker Steve Jackson presents “Laying the Foundation.” He will give an overview of the key prin- ciples stated clearly in the Decla- ration of Independence, resulting in America’s exceptionalism. The meeting begins at 10:30


a.m. with registration and social at the Orange Conference Center, 300 S. Flower in Orange. Re- quired reservations at $25 may be made at (714) 998-9717. Inter- ested members of the community


a small section of water-wise landscaping in the area. Homeowners in Santiago Hills


and Hillsdale are currently as- sessed $369.44 a year. Condo owners pay $221.67. Paul Sit- koff explains that if a Master Homeowners Association was managing the common areas in those neighborhoods, it would simply raise monthly dues to co- incide with inflation. With the city in charge, however, voters must okay the proposed annual rate hike. Orange has scheduled neigh- borhood meetings to address the issues (the next is March 12) and Community Services Manager Marie Knight is willing to meet with small groups who’d like more discussion on the topic. Follow the links on cityoforange. org for information.


ORWF offers Constitution talks A two-part series on the U.S.


are invited to attend. The noon luncheon will be fol-


lowed by speaker Fred Whitaker, newly elected chairman of the Or- ange County GOP and a council- man for the City of Orange, who will discuss his vision and goals for the OC Republican Party. Jackson will conclude the se-


ries at the club’s April 16 meet- ing, comparing Patrick Henry’s statement that “the Constitution is not an instrument for the gov- ernment to restrain the people: it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government” to our government today.


experience


Over 40 years


Page 13


1036 Irvine Blvd. Tustin, Ca 92780


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24