Mello-Roos is a tax named after two California legislators who found a way around the landmark, tax-limiting Proposition 13.
The tax allowed local governments to generate revenue to pay for projects such as schools, roads and parks in new neighborhoods.
Typically, housing developers create Mello-Roos districts, which can then issue debt and collect taxes. The tax amounts vary wildly from district to district and even house to house.
BRANDON QUESTER
Brandon Quester is the former director of data and visuals at inewsource. He worked on data analysis, interactives and graphics for our Mello-Roos coverage.
LEONARDO CASTAÑEDA
Leonardo Castañeda is a former reporter at inewsource. He worked on data analysis and reporting for our Mello-Roos coverage.
JOANNE FARYON
Joanne Faryon is a former investigative reporter at inewsource. She worked on the reporting for our Mello-Roos coverage.
KEVIN CROWE
Kevin Crowe is a former data reporter at inewsource. He did data analysis, interactives and graphics for our Mello-Roos coverage.
FEATURED STORY
Special property tax lacks robust oversight, accountability
San Diego County property owners have paid almost $1 billion since 2011 in Mello-Roos taxes, and not all are created equal.
