Enhancing Special District Governance for Modern Efficiency
Explore the history and types of special districts, their relevance today, challenges faced like redundancy and lack of oversight, and recommended steps for improvement and modernization.
Enhancing Special District Governance for Modern Efficiency
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Presentation Transcript
History • 1878 – First district formed in California • Maintained levees; oversee drainage; reclamation; irrigation • Focused service • Relatively easy to form • Tailored services to citizen demand
Types of Special Districts • 85% perform single function • 3,400 special districts • Independent vs. dependent districts • 2,300 independent special districts • 386 fire protection districts
Special Districts: Relics of the Past or Resources of the Future? • “patchwork of special district governments has become unnecessarily redundant, inefficient and unaccountable” • Lack of visibility and accountability • Lack of financial oversight • Uncontested elections/notice of meetings • Outdated boundaries and missions
Special Districts: Relics of the Past or Resources of the Future? • Recommendations: • Increase oversight of Districts • Require LAFCo to study service duplication and reorganization alternatives