Property owners in West Sacramento will vote later this month on the formation of a new assessment district that would generate funding for levee repairs throughout the city.

West Sacramento is surrounded by levees and recent studies show the level of flood protection may not be adequate. Changes in federal standards for underwater seepage indicate the levees may not even meet the desired 100-year flood protection standard. With proposed improvements, the levees are expected to provide 200-year flood protection.

Engineering reports indicate the levees need about $400 million worth of improvements. To achieve that, city leaders are supporting an annual assessment ranging from $40 to $130 per residential parcel. Business and commercial owners would pay considerably more depending on the size of their parcel.