Investing in our Community’s future

From his email with permission, by Terry Scott, Benicia City Councilmember, Aug 17, 2025
[Editor: My apologies for tardiness of posting this important piece.]

Ballots are out or coming soon to your mailbox. Hopefully you’ve read the city’s material defining it. Plus, the social media platforms are certainly a buzz with commentary.
Let me start out by saying we can’t change the past. We can try and fix today, but it is this City Council’s responsibility to make the hard decisions that shape the City’s long-term future.

So let’s not make the mistakes that have gotten us to this moment in time. Let’s be willing to change how we operate as a government and be brave and bold.

That’s why supporting our Parks, Lighting and Landscape District Initiative is an investment our community’s future.

Here’s why:

When families and individuals choose to call Benicia home, they come with clear expectations: excellent schools, high quality of life, well-maintained parks, and safe neighborhoods.

PLLAD initiative represents a crucial step forward in meeting these expectations and preserving what makes Benicia so special.

One of the most compelling aspects of this initiative is its financial structure. Funds raised through this district would be deposited into a dedicated special independently audited account specifically earmarked for parks maintenance and identified improvements.

This means our general fund—which supports critical services like public safety, water services, and fire protection—remains untouched and fully dedicated to these essential operations.

This noted separation of funding sources ensures that improving our parks doesn’t come at the expense of the vital services that keep our community safe and functioning.

Yes, I understand the frustration about a lack of sunset. But realistically, things wear out. Sprinklers break. Landscaping is forever.

Does anyone believe that parks and recreational spaces are luxuries?

I’d argue they’re fundamental components of a thriving community. They provide: Safe, green spaces for families to gather, children to play, and neighbors to connect, fostering the strong community bonds that make Benicia special.

As our community’s ages ( both older and younger families) we need to place more emphasis on Health and wellness opportunities through walking trails, sports facilities, and outdoor recreation areas that encourage active lifestyles for residents of all ages.

Speaking to value received for the assessment , I would argue that property values are enhanced as well-maintained parks and landscaping contribute significantly to neighborhood appeal and home values.

New residents don’t just move to Benicia for our excellent schools—they choose our community because of the complete package we offer. When parks fall into disrepair or lighting becomes inadequate, we risk losing the very qualities that attract quality families and responsible community members to our area.

I submit that this PLLAD represents fiscally responsible governance. Rather than competing with essential services for limited general fund dollars, we’re creating a sustainable funding mechanism specifically designed to address our community’s recreational and aesthetic needs.

As you have read in the ballot package, we currently have 5 of our 28 parks covered by the current lighting and landscape district assessment. For you, this represents a $71 dollar a year increase in your property tax to $208 or $5.92 per month more.

For most property owners not in the lighting districts who use the parks and trails, who benefit from the enhanced property values, who have children in athletics, who feel safe and welcomed by our commitment to maintain the quality of life your property tax assessment will increase to $208 or $17.33 per month.

The Parks, Lighting, and Landscape District initiative offers us a path forward that protects our essential services while enhancing the community amenities that make Benicia a place people are proud to call home. It’s a balanced, responsible approach that deserves your support.

Terry Scott
Benicia City Councilmember