If you received a letter recently from the City of Chino Hills regarding an Assessment District Credit Reimbursement and are wondering if the letter is legitimate.  It is.  On your letter you were provided with a QR Code to learn more about this reimbursement.  

If you received the letter, our records indicate that you are the current owner of a property within the assessment district and, therefore, are entitled to a refund.  To obtain the refund, you must follow the instructions in the letter you received.  If the amount of the refund is not claimed within three years of the date of this letter, it will be deemed forfeited and will escheat to the City of Chino Hills.  

Background

In July 2022, the City Council was presented a memorandum which explained the basis for the disbursement of approximately $12.4 million in Assessment District Credits to various developers and property owners.  Pursuant to Chino Hills Municipal Code Chapter 3.40.180 (G) (Credits/reimbursements), the City of Chino Hills is distributing the balance owed from assessment district credits to affected property owners.  

It is important to note, only properties within the Assessment District (AD)/Re-Assessment District (RAD) are eligible for reimbursements. Additionally, not all properties in the AD or RAD have credits remaining.  Some have been fully utilized by developers/property owners throughout the years.  Only properties with credits eligible for reimbursement will be contacted.

An Assessment District is created to finance improvements when no other source of money is available. Assessment Districts are often formed in undeveloped areas and are used to build roads and install water and sewer systems so that new homes or commercial space can be built. Assessment Districts may also be used in older areas to finance new public improvements or other additions to the community. 

Learn more about an Assessment District.  

Letters Being Mailed

During the week of March 13-17, Finance staff began mailing letters/declaration forms to developers or property owners who are owed the credits.  The credits follow the land so the current owner will receive any credits owed, and not necessarily the original developer or owner.

Letters are being mailed on a “First In, First Out” (FIFO) approach.  Those properties whose fees were paid first will be refunded first.

Letters will be mailed in phases. The current plan is to mail 100 letters every other week to keep the processing of refunds at a manageable level. At that rate, if all refunds are claimed, the City should exhaust the current cash balance on hand ($8.6 million) in approximately 5 months.   

There are 3 thresholds for the reimbursements:

  • $0 through $1,000 – Signed Claim/Declaration form with a copy of a current government issued ID required for reimbursement.
  • Over $1,000 and up to $50,000 – Notarized Declaration form required for reimbursement.
  • Over $50,000 – Settlement agreement required for reimbursement.

Questions? 

Should you have any additional questions regarding the letter you received, you can contact the City of Chino Hills, Finance Department via email at finance@chinohills.org or by calling (909) 364-2640.