October 3, 2014
The Daily Journal
By Michelle Durand
The Board of Supervisors is holding off a decision on
dissolving the Harbor District until after the commission governing special
districts completes its municipal service review.
A civil grand jury investigation into the district concluded
that it should be disbanded beginning by the end of the year and its duties
absorbed elsewhere, likely South San Francisco and San Mateo County.
In its official response to the July report “What is the
price of dysfunction?” the county takes no position on the recommendation but
said it needs “further analysis” after the Local Agency Formation Commission
first completes its review.
LAFCo, a body that evaluates jurisdictional boundaries and
special districts, has long favored dissolution but decided in September to
also hold off on a discussion until after the review. The review will update
information on the district’s use, need and accountability. The commission
agreed to start the review by the end of the year and also discussed hiring a
consultant for the work, said Executive Director Martha Poyatos, who at the
November meeting will request authority to issue a request for proposals.
On that timeline, the review will be complete by
approximately June.
Hiring an outside consultant lets the evaluation be
conducted by someone with no preconceived notions or prior recommendations of
dissolution, said Supervisor Don Horsley, who also sit on LAFCo.
Horsley said he is also holding off on judgment.
“I think we should keep an open mind,” Horsley said.
Both the Board of Supervisors and LAFCo were given
recommendations in the grand jury report which is why each is required to
respond in writing within 90 days. Grand jury reports carry no other legal
weight and any try at dissolution requires a city, district or voting majority
to initiate the process.
The Harbor District operates Pillar Point Harbor on the
coast and Oyster Point Marina/Park in South San Francisco. The district
operates on a $10 million budget with about half coming from property tax.
The scathing jury report looked at a variety of its issues
including finances and its widely reported board dysfunction.
In its rather thin reply to the jury report, the county says
it cannot agree with certain findings about operating losses and timeliness of
financial reporting to commissioners because it does not have enough
information to draw conclusions.
LAFCo has recommended dissolving the district dating back to
1977. The commission has reaffirmed the position — formally known as an adopted
sphere designation of zero — periodically, most recently in 2006. However,
several attempts to follow through have failed.
The Board of Supervisors meets 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 in
Board Chambers, 400 Government Center, Redwood City.
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