Executive Summaries of Attachments (see below for attachments):
1 Our Existing Failed Methodology Report
This report demonstrates inequities that result from the Del Mar Method of allocating assessments based on construction costs and it offers a more equitable Benefit Method that takes benefits into consideration, thus complying with California law.
Fig 1 Assessment Construction Cost Comparison Graph
This graph shows relative cost for each site numbered 1 through 49 (Sunset District was used as a sample); and shows how Del Mar Method mimics ‘construction cost’. In addition, this graph shows that the Del Mar Method results in extreme differences in assessments which does not represent the reality of the benefits. Our more equitable Benefit Method has a leveling effect and more closely aligns assessments to benefits.
Fig 2 Case Study A Illustration
This diagram illustrates the unfairness of the Del Mar Method, by comparing lots 32 and 39, both of which enjoy comparable views yet one would be assessed many times more than the other (red line = adjacent utility wire) See: Fig 1.
Fig 3 Case Study B Illustration
This diagram illustrates the improvement of the Benefit Method over the Del Mar Method, by comparing lot 14 which will gain a big benefit from undergrounding (see Fig 4 below) with lot 29 which gains little benefit, but would have incurred an arbitrarily $11,000 greater assessment under the Del Mar Method. (See Fig 5 below).
Fig 4 View Comparison Photo Lot 14
Photo taken from lot 14 shows substantial benefit resulting from undergrounding of lines across view. (See Figs 1 & 3).
Fig 5 View Comparison Photo Lot 29
Photo taken from lot 29 shows relatively little benefit resulting from undergrounding of lines but substantially greater cost. (See Figs 3 & 1.)
Fig 6 Case Study C Illustration
This diagram illustrates the improvement of the Benefit Method over the Del Mar Method, by comparing lot 39 which enjoys a view with lot 29 which gains less from undergrounding but would have had a $20,000 greater assessment under the Del Mar Method.
Fig 7 Math Comparison of 49 Properties Report
This presentation is for those who are interested in understanding the detailed mathematical calculations that lead to our conclusions.