Contra Costa LAFCo Commissioners Receive State Award

On October 30th, Contra Costa LAFCo Commissioners were named “Most Effective Commission” in California at the annual California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions (CALAFCO) Conference.

Contra Costa LAFCo Commissioners were recognized for their diligence and leadership. Their endeavors to promote healthy and sustainable local agencies through analysis and assistance and intervene when needed to restructure or dissolve struggling agencies supports the goal of LAFCos to promote efficient service delivery which is essential to the fiscal, economic and social wellbeing of Contra Costa County and California. Since 2010, Contra Costa LAFCo Commissioners have assisted three special districts to improve their operations and transparency, encouraged one district to revise its governance structure, reorganized one special district, and dissolved four special districts due to lack of or poor performance.

This is the latest of man State awards received by Contra Costa LAFCo. Other Contra Costa awards include 2016 Outstanding Commissioner – Don Tatzin, 2013 Outstanding LAFCo Professional – Lou Ann Texeira, 2013 Outstanding LAFCo Clerk – Kate Sibley, 2011 – Government Leadership Award – Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, 2007 – Lifetime Achievement Award – John T. Knox, 2007 and several others from earlier years. Contra Costa LAFCo is a State regulatory commission responsible for encouraging the orderly formation of local government agencies, preserving agricultural and open space lands, and discouraging urban sprawl. LAFCO is governed by a seven-member commission comprised of two County Supervisors, two City Council Members, two Special District Board Members, and one Public Member, plus one alternate member in each category. CALAFCO is a statewide organization dedicated to assisting member LAFCOs and serves as a resource to the California Legislature and other government agencies and organizations.

For more information please contact:
Lou Ann Texeira, Executive Officer
Contra Costa LAFCO
925-313-7133
LouAnn.Texeira@lafco.cccounty.us

News from the 2016 California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions (CALAFCO) Conference in Santa Barbara

  • Commissioner Don Tatzin, 2016 CALAFCO Outstanding Commissioner
    Commissioner Don Tatzin (City Member) received the CALAFCO Outstanding Commissioner award in recognition of his tireless dedication to public service at the local and regional levels.  Don’s work on complex LAFCO reorganizations (e.g., Mt . Diablo Healthcare District), special studies, and LAFCO policies and procedures (e.g., agricultural & open space preservation, out of agency service, etc.) serves Contra Costa County well.  We thank all those who supported the nomination.
  • Tamayo Vineyards of Brentwood won a Bronze medal in the red wine category for its Syrah (tied with Napa County).
  • Commissioner Mike McGill reelected to new two-year term on CALAFCO Board
    Commissioner Mike McGill (Special District Member) successfully defended his seat on the CALAFCO Board of Directors and will serve another two years in this position. Additionally, Commissioner McGill was elected by the CALAFCO Board to serve as Treasurer for 2017.
    We’re very proud of our Commissioners’ achievements.

Local Agencies – Drought Management Efforts (through 2016)

Despite a wetter winter in 2015-16, the state is now in a fifth year of drought. Mandatory water restrictions established by Governor Brown have been eased, but everyone is encouraged to continue conserving water, and local agencies continue to expand or refine water conservation and reuse programs. LAFCO has heard from a number of Contra Costa based water, wastewater, and other districts that manage this most valuable resource.

Local agency presentations are provided below:

Mutual Water Companies

Within Contra Costa County there are many mutual water companies (MWCs). These small systems – some private and some shared wells – provide water service in lieu of a public agency or Public Utilities Commission regulated utility. These facilities are privately owned, providing water service to the County’s residents from surface and groundwater resources, and are impacted by the same concerns for supply reliability, water quality and costs as the public sector providers.

In 2012, Assembly Bill 54 was enacted and imposed new requirements on LAFCOs and MWCs that own and operate public water systems. The requirements are intended to improve access to information about the location of MWCs and the quality of water they provide. Contra Costa LAFCO has identified 28 MWCs that meet the requirements for reporting to LAFCO certain information regarding their service area, including maps, infrastructure, water quality and rate information.