Altadena Library District CFD Special Tax

Voters approved Measure Z in 2020 with an approval vote of 72.35%, which authorizes the CFD “to levy $0.10/square foot for single-family residences annually, with different rates for other property types, raising approximately $2,600,000 annually until ended by voters; bond issuance/appropriation limit of $24,000,000; requiring oversight/audits, low-income exemptions, and all funds staying local.”

The Measure Z Special Tax was implemented pursuant to a California law called the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982. It allows a local government to form a Community Facilities District (CFD) to fund certain public services and facilities and requires two-thirds voter approval to impose a special tax. After approval by the voters, the Mello-Roos Act requires the District to record a “notice of special tax lien” against properties that are within the Measure Z Zone. The lien secures the payment of the Special Tax. Sections of the State Code that govern this are included at the bottom of this page.

The notice of special tax lien includes a description of the tax and the facilities and services funded by the tax, exemptions to the tax, how the tax is collected, and a list of the parcel numbers and owner(s) of the properties which are subject to the tax.

It is important to note that the special tax lien DOES NOT mean tax has not been paid or that there is tax delinquency.

The Altadena Library District recorded the current “notice of special tax lien” with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk on January 26, 2021. The County is indexing the tax to the names of property owners in the community, and this has increased awareness of the tax lien.

No. The tax is an annual obligation that is included as part of your regular property tax bill. You will see a separate line item for both Measure A and Measure Z on your property tax bill until Measure A expires in 2025.

In 2014, local Altadena voters approved Measure A to continue vital programs, services, and resources for 10 years. This was an extension of a previous measure that had been implemented and extended since 1993 to address substantial state cuts. Measure A covers about one-quarter of the Library District’s operating budget, providing important programs, services, and resources, up-to-date materials, Library days and hours, and support, education, events, and activities for families, children, teens, and seniors. In June of 2025, Measure A will expire, at which time Measure Z will replace it to continue funding library operations. Until then, Measure Z funds will only be used for much-needed capital improvements at both our Main and Branch locations.