Financial/Legal

Since the passage of Proposition 13, critical money necessary to assist growing school districts has been substantially reduced from the State budgets. This has had a significant impact on growing areas, such as Antioch, that have attracted large numbers of families with children.

The first Mello-Roos districts were set-up in 1982 when many cities found themselves caught in a dilemma over allowing or not allowing further growth. On one hand, cities wanted the money, taxes, better businesses and services that would result from allowing developers to build new homes. On the other hand, however, they were stopped from approving these new subdivisions because of the overcrowding it would bring to their schools. They also were unable to afford building the kind of community facilities that today's families want.

Planning = Value
The city planners and leaders often must guide the citizenship to see the rewards of building new facilities that will ensure that the community will have an enhanced reputation as well as the daily benefits of having more quality schools, preserved park land areas and community buildings that serve the residents.

Saying "YES" to Quality Growth
Mello-Roos bonds directly pay for these new facilities. They allow a city to say "yes" to new home building. That in turn means developers can build new homes. It means that people who want to buy a home will find quality housing and modern neighborhoods at relatively affordable prices in cities that would otherwise not have been equipped to handle large numbers of new families.

Antioch deserves strong praise for its ability to secure millions of dollars from the State of California to assist with some of its growth plans, but these dollars are not sufficient to pay for the costly construction and facilities planned to benefit all of its families.

The special taxes are based upon an assesment of a home's square footage calculated in 100 sq. ft. increments.

Montalvo
All of the homes in Montalvo at Black Diamond Heights will be assessed a flat rate which affects new homes over 2,401 sq. ft. Homeowners at Montalvo are estimated to pay $1,493 annually according to the schedules set up in the Mello Roos documents.

When will I start paying Mello-Roos?
If you purchase a new home in the Mello-Roos taxed portion of Antioch you will take over paying the special tax at the close of escrow. The developer has been paying the special tax since the building permit was issued by the City.

Do all Antioch homeowners pay Mello-Roos?
Not all homes in Antioch are required to pay Mello-Roos assessment special tax. Typically, only homes built after 1988 will be taxed with these fees. You will need to ask a realtor or sales representative if a certain home you are considering pays such fees.

Is my child guaranteed a place in a new, Mello-Roos funded school?
A common misconception is that the families who pay the Mello-Roos special tax will be assured attendance for their children at the new schools. As a member of a greater community, we must all realize that our tax and bond dollars do not necessarily guarantee exclusive usage of facilities built with those dollars. In the same way that all Antioch residents will be able to use the park, attendance at the new schools is a matter of boundaries and school board decisions.

Check with the school district office at 706-4100 to determine your child's correct school assignment.

Can I write off my Mello-Roos payments from my taxes?
This is a decision you should discuss only with a tax specialist. There are varying opinions as to the amounts that can be written off and you will want the advice of a professional to determine what is correct for you.

Can I pay off the Mello-Roos assessment early?
A November 1995 ruling by the City Council does allow the Mello-Roos assessment to be paid off early by the homeowner. Prior to acting on this you should seek legal and financial advice.

Jim Lopez or John Tasker
(925) 779-7055
Represent the City of Antioch and have a long history of involvement with Mello-Roos. Assist with information that goes directly to the tax assessor.

New Schools
The money collected from the Mello-Roos assessment program is going directly to the building of eight new schools for Antioch. Antioch is excited about these new schools as they will not only accommodate 3,750 elementary age children, 1,200 middle grade children and 4,500 ninth through twelfth graders, but provide modern facilities in which children can learn.

This is a lengthy commitment as each new school will begin its construction only as money becomes available by collecting Mello Roos dollars from new home-owners and developers in Antioch.

New Parks
An additional use of Antioch's Mello-Roos dollars is the continued building of a unique 100-acre family park called Prewett Family Park. This amenity is the second in the State to offer such an elaborate system of wading pools, active play structures, water slides, extensive lawn areas, trails and paths that follow the natural topography of the site.

Designed to have some thing for every age from infant to senior, Prewett Family Park has added greatly to the leisure activities of Antioch. Though there are fees associated with the seasonal use of the water facilities, they are relatively affordable. Added information about this great park is available upon request.

It is the strong belief of Antioch's planners and citizens that these facilities will bring value, pleasure, and pride to all of Antioch's residents, enhancing the quality of life for all.

		1. WHAT EXACTLY IS MELLO ROOS? 2. HOW MUCH MELLO ROOS WILL MY FAMILY PAY? 3. HOW DOES MELLO-ROOS BENEFIT ANTIOCH?
		Since the passage of Proposition 13, critical money necessary to assist growing school districts has been substantially reduced from the State budgets. This has had a significant impact on growing areas, such as Antioch, that have attracted large numbers of families with children. The first Mello-Roos districts were set-up in 1982 when many cities found themselves caught in a dilemma over allowing or not allowing further growth. On one hand, cities wanted the money, taxes, better businesses and services that would result from allowing developers to build new homes. On the other hand, however, they were stopped from approving these new subdivisions because of the overcrowding it would bring to their schools. They also were unable to afford building the kind of community facilities that today's families want. Planning = Value The city planners and leaders often must guide the citizenship to see the rewards of building new facilities that will ensure that the community will have an enhanced reputation as well as the daily benefits of having more quality schools, preserved park land areas and community buildings that serve the residents. Saying "YES" to Quality Growth Mello-Roos bonds directly pay for these new facilities. They allow a city to say "yes" to new home building. That in turn means developers can build new homes. It means that people who want to buy a home will find quality housing and modern neighborhoods at relatively affordable prices in cities that would otherwise not have been equipped to handle large numbers of new families. Antioch deserves strong praise for its ability to secure millions of dollars from the State of California to assist with some of its growth plans, but these dollars are not sufficient to pay for the costly construction and facilities planned to benefit all of its families.