Friday, October 3, 2014

San Mateo County seeking ‘further analysis’ on Harbor District: Board of Supervisors holds off on decision to dissolve district


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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