Broken Streetlight Assessment Fails as L.A. Grapples With Infrastructure

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, June 28, 2026

Los Angeles property owners voted against the proposed increase in the streetlight maintenance assessment, which would have raised an additional $80 million annually to address widespread outages. In response, city officials plan to pursue alternative funding, including investing $65 million in solar-powered streetlights and accelerating repairs to improve lighting reliability amid ongoing infrastructure challenges.

Los Angeles property owners have rejected a proposed increase in the assessment used to fund streetlight maintenance, a measure intended to generate an additional $80 million annually to address the city’s growing backlog of broken streetlights. The vote concluded on June 2, with nearly 80% of the weighted ballots cast against the hike, according to results released Thursday.

The streetlight assessment, which has remained unchanged since 1996, currently raises about $45 million each year. Under the proposal, average annual payments for single-family homeowners, representing the majority of parcels, would have increased from $58 to $117. The total revenue generated by the assessment would have reached approximately $125 million annually.

Los Angeles owns and operates nearly 225,000 streetlights, with maintenance costs traditionally covered by the assessment. The city has faced delays in repairing outages, with an average repair time of one year, exacerbated by stagnant funding and increased vandalism, including widespread theft of copper wiring. About 10% of streetlights are currently not operational due to these issues.

In response to the vote’s outcome, Mayor Karen Bass, Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez and Katy Yaroslavsky issued a joint statement affirming the city’s commitment to continue addressing the problem. They emphasized plans to improve streetlight reliability, accelerate repairs, and develop sustainable financing to ensure safe, well-lit neighborhoods.

Without the increased assessment revenue, city officials are exploring alternative funding sources. The City Council has approved $65 million for installing solar-powered streetlights, which are expected to reduce vulnerability to copper theft. Mayor Bass has also announced an initiative to repair and replace 60,000 streetlights over the next two years. Additionally, several council members have allocated discretionary district funds to expedite repairs locally.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, chair of the Public Works Committee, acknowledged the limitations of the current funding model, calling it outdated for maintaining modern infrastructure. She urged exploration of new revenue opportunities and reforms to state legislation, such as Proposition 218, which she said hampers large cities like Los Angeles from adequately funding basic public services.

The issue of broken streetlights has gained prominence ahead of the November mayoral runoff. Councilmember Nithya Raman, Bass’s opponent, has criticized the city’s management of essential services, citing malfunctioning streetlights as indicative of broader governance challenges.

Efforts to combat streetlight outages have intensified following high-profile incidents of copper wire theft, including a notable case on the Sixth Street Bridge where thieves stole wire along a seven-mile stretch. The city’s push toward solar-powered lighting is part of a broader strategy to enhance infrastructure resilience and reduce maintenance costs.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.