[San Bernardino County]: Desert CSD merger to be reviewed

LAFCO exploring consolidation of Yermo, Daggett, Newberry Springs districts

Consolidation options for the community service districts of Yermo, Daggett and Newberry Springs will go under review in San Bernardino on Wednesday.

The Local Agency Formation Commission for San Bernardino County meets at 9 a.m. inside the San Bernardino City Council Chambers at 300 North D Street in San Bernardino. One of the consent items deferred for discussion is a special study of the Daggett, Newberry and Yermo community services districts, including a plan for service and a service review.

LAFCO staff held a community hearing at Silver Valley High School Gymnasium on Dec. 9 to explain the consolidation options and take comments from residents. More than 150 people attended. Most of those who commented were opposed to any consolidation efforts.

Kathleen Rollins-McDonald, executive director for LAFCO explained to the audience that LAFCO staff’s job was to do the analysis and present it to the citizens of the districts and the commission. Ultimately, she said, the voters would have to decide on any of the proposals.

The hearing came on the heels of a 2012-13 grand jury report and several investigations by LAFCO. The 2013 San Bernardino County grand jury report investigated the Newberry CSD and identified numerous issues and challenges related to governance, accounting and financial management, as well as internal controls.

The staff, according to Rollings-McDonald, is recommending the option to consolidate Daggett and Yermo. The staff estimates a five-year financial gain of $67,508 to be used for reserves or capital assets. The proposal calls for voters to choose a board of directors who will then appoint a full-time general manager. A water division, park and recreation staff and fire chief would answer to the general manager.

According to Wednesday’s agenda, LAFCO staff recommends that the commission take the following actions:

•     For environmental review certify that the special study to include a plan for service and service review update are statutorily exempt from environmental review and direct the executive officer to file the notice of exemption within five days.

•     Receive and file the special study to include a plan for service and service review update for the Daggett, Newberry, and Yermo Community Services Districts.

•     Make the determinations related to the service review update required by government code as outlined in the special study.

•     Determine that the districts are not in compliance with the following constitutional and statutory requirements and direct LAFCO staff to monitor and update the commission biannually until all items below are satisfied. Those items are: Adopt and annually review reserve policies pursuant to Community Services District Law Section 61112 and forward a copy of the final budget to the county auditor pursuant to Community Services District Law Section 61110.

January 20, 2015

Desert Dispatch

By Mike Lamb