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1. What is a special assessment?

A special assessment is a charge for a public improvement that will provide a benefit to a real estate parcel. State law permits the use of special assessments to recoup the costs of a variety of City services. All revenues collected through an assessment can only be used on expenditures directly related to the public improvement.

2. Why is the City utilizing a Street Light Special Assessment?

To provide a standardized public street light system that promotes safety and security throughout the city.

3. Who is being assessed?

All properties which will benefit from the street light improvement within the city will be assessed unless the property is within the identified exempted areas. The assessment will be applied to all property types (residential, commercial, etc). This includes the approximately 38% of the properties in the city that are not assessed property tax due to their tax status.

4. How is the assessment calculated?

The annual assessment amount is calculated by multiplying the 100% assessed value of a key parcel obtained from the Montgomery County Auditor’s records (effective February 26, 2014) by the following rates:

1. District A (Central Business District) rate is 0.0348%
2. District B (outside District A, less exempt areas) rate is 0.049%

The above rates were derived by dividing the total estimated costs for each district by the total 100% assessed value of the district.

5. Where can I Go to locate my assessment?

There are two methods you can look up your assessment:
1. Online at daytonohio.gov/streetlights
2. In person, during regular hours of operation, in the Clerk of Commission’s Office located on the second floor at 101 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402.

6. How long will the assessment last?

The assessment has been proposed for a period of six years beginning in July of 2014.

7. What areas have been exempted and why?

Neighborhoods without street lighting (portions of Forest Ridge and Villages of Forest Ridge) or with neighborhood-supported street lighting (Oregon Historic District, Cooper Place, and Hook Estate) will not be assessed. The Dayton International Airport pays for its own street lights and will not be assessed. For specifics on streets and blocks exempted, see the details online or in person in the Clerk of Commission’s Office located on the second floor at 101 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402.

8. How will I be charged for the assessment?

The assessment is charged based upon property value and will commence on property tax bills payable in 2015, unless paid in advance.

9. Will I receive an invoice?

No. On June 4, 2014 the Dayton City Commission adopted a resolution that began the process to implement a street light improvement. As part of that process, state law requires that we notify property owners by certified mail if their proposed parcel assessment is greater than $250 over the assessment period. State law also requires the City to publish two legal advertisements in a newspaper of general circulation. The City Commission is scheduled to vote on final adoption of the assessment on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. If passed, the City will accept payments from July 31, 2014 until August 29, 2014.

10. How does this special assessment benefit me?

The purpose of the proposed assessment is to provide a standardized public street lighting system citywide that will promote safety and security in our neighborhoods, business districts, and across the city’s 1,800 lane-miles of roadways.

The street light system is comprised of over 19,700 lights situated throughout the city. Miami Valley Lighting (a division of the Dayton Power & Light Company) owns approximately 14,400 lights and bills the City for the capital, energy, maintenance and repair costs of those lights. The City owns and maintains the remaining 5,300 lights. The plan includes upgrades of the lights on existing City-owned poles from high pressure sodium fixtures to energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) technology. LED lights consume less energy than their high pressure sodium counterparts and have more than double the useful life. Conversion to LED lights is also good for the environment by reducing the City’s carbon footprint. The assessment also covers the cost of operating, maintaining and repairing the street light system.

11. What are the standards?

The street light system will be standardized across each of the two districts.

District A (Central Business District)
100 ft maximum spacing
Poles under 25 feet 3,200 lumens
Poles over 25 feet 15,000 lumens

District B (outside District A, less exempt areas)
200 ft maximum spacing
Poles under 25 feet 3,200 lumens
Poles over 25 feet 9,500 lumens

12. Who do I contact with further questions?

For general inquiries, call 937-333-4800.

For information on street light construction, maintenance and energy usage, call 937-333-3838 or email keith.steeber@daytonohio.gov.

For information on payment info, call 937-333-3560 or email rosa.davis@daytonohio.gov.