The City Council is expected to approve a resolution tonightto increase the city’s landscaping and lighting assessment by $20, to $79 per residential property, for the 2006-07 fiscal year.

The city established a landscaping and lighting district in 1984, as allowed under state law.

City officials say the fee increase is necessary to meet the rising costs of energy, water, materials and labor for providing quality landscaping and adequate lighting. The annual assessment has been $59 since 1998, and $53 per year before that.

The increase was approved by local property owners in a mail-in ballot. The city mailed out 15,135 ballots in May, of which 6,320 were returned. Nearly 52 percent voted yes, and 48 percent voted no.

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 2222 Camino Ramon.