The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act (California
Government Code Section 56430) requires that LAFCO complete a municipal service
review (MSR) to develop baseline information for updating spheres of influence
(SOI). Recently the Commission announced that they are seeking proposals from consulting firms to
prepare the multi-agency countywide Municipal Service Review to meet requirements
of the Government Code. The MSR must include information on a variety of
things but there are 9 issues that must be addressed: Infrastructure needs or deficiencies; Growth and
population projections for the affected area; Financing constraints and
opportunities; Cost
avoidance opportunities; Opportunities for rate restructuring; Opportunities
for shared facilities; Government structure options, including advantages and
disadvantages of consolidation or reorganization of service providers; Evaluation
of management efficiencies; and Local accountability and governance. The MSR must also include information that will be helpful
when the Commission is determining spheres of influence for each of Amador
County’s cities. According to LAFCO Executive Director Roseanne
Chamberlain, “We have
already had contact from eligible consultants who are interested in doing the
work.” She added that funding for the MSR is also going very well. “I
have commitments from many agencies and formal resolutions of funding. It’s
coming right along,” she concluded. Interested
consultants have until August 15th to be considered to complete the
work.
Thursday, 19 July 2007 23:05
LAFCO To Evaluate Countywide Municipal Services
The Amador County Local Agency Formation
Commission is moving forward in continuing to become in compliance with state
law. While LAFCO has been somewhat dormant for the last couple of years a wake up
call and renewed commitment has had them working diligently towards becoming a functional
commission. The California
State Legislature directs the Local Agency Formation Commission to promote
orderly growth and development, discourage urban sprawl while preserving
open space and agricultural lands and encouraging efficient service areas for
local governments. LAFCO operations are governed by the
Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000.
The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act (California
Government Code Section 56430) requires that LAFCO complete a municipal service
review (MSR) to develop baseline information for updating spheres of influence
(SOI). Recently the Commission announced that they are seeking proposals from consulting firms to
prepare the multi-agency countywide Municipal Service Review to meet requirements
of the Government Code. The MSR must include information on a variety of
things but there are 9 issues that must be addressed: Infrastructure needs or deficiencies; Growth and
population projections for the affected area; Financing constraints and
opportunities; Cost
avoidance opportunities; Opportunities for rate restructuring; Opportunities
for shared facilities; Government structure options, including advantages and
disadvantages of consolidation or reorganization of service providers; Evaluation
of management efficiencies; and Local accountability and governance. The MSR must also include information that will be helpful
when the Commission is determining spheres of influence for each of Amador
County’s cities. According to LAFCO Executive Director Roseanne
Chamberlain, “We have
already had contact from eligible consultants who are interested in doing the
work.” She added that funding for the MSR is also going very well. “I
have commitments from many agencies and formal resolutions of funding. It’s
coming right along,” she concluded. Interested
consultants have until August 15th to be considered to complete the
work.
