LAFCO to continue monitoring of Yermo, Daggett, Newberry
SAN BERNARDINO — A decision
by the Local Agency Formation Commission to hold off on any plans to
consolidate Barstow area community service districts was reported by the 2015
San Bernardino County Grand Jury.
The decision to not push
consolidation plans for the Yermo, Daggett and Newberry Springs was actually
made by LAFCO in January. The Grand Jury came out with its annual report last
week.
The 2013 Grand Jury report
investigated the Newberry Springs Community Service District and identified numerous
issues and challenges related to governance, accounting and financial
management, as well as internal controls.
The 2013 Grand Jury report
said LAFCO should review suggestions made in its 2009 report and include more
robust analysis of governance and reorganization options for the next service
review of the districts scheduled for 2014.
LAFCO did that, with staff
holding a public hearing in Yermo in December that drew a crowd that filled the
Silver Valley High School Gymnasium. Most of those in attendance were strongly
against any consolidation options. The LAFCO commission voted against the
consolidation proposal developed by staff.
"We recommend you
determine not to consolidate and continue to monitor,” LAFCO Executive Officer
Kathleen Rollings-McDonald said in her 30-minute report to the board in
January. She revealed that a survey of residents in the districts showed most
were against all of the consolidation options.
"LAFCO decided to
continue to monitor the districts for compliance with the California
Constitution and State law, and it directed LAFCO staff to return with biannual
reports on the progress of satisfying deficiencies," the Grand Jury report
said. "If any of the governance issues worsen, LAFCO may initiate
consolidation at any time or request an affected agency to do so."
July 2, 2015
Desert
Dispatch
By Mike
Lamb
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