Special
Districts, CSA's, and Improvement Zones
What is the Special Districts Department?
The Special Districts Department is a relatively little known yet
highly active and dynamic department of San Bernardino County. As
stated in our Mission Statement, "The Special Districts Team,
under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, set the standards for
excellence in local government." We do this through the
formation, management and administration of Districts, County Service
Areas (CSAs) and Improvement Zones to meet the individual needs of
communities, neighborhoods and new developments in the unincorporated
areas of San Bernardino County.
Districts, CSAs and Improvement Zones provide tailored municipal-type
services to unincorporated areas. They can provide one or all of the
following services depending on needs and financial feasibility:
- Extended police protection
- Structural fire protection
- Local park, recreation, or parkway
- Extended library facilities and services
- Television translator station facilities
- Low power television services
- Miscellaneous extended services:
- water service
- sewer service
- pest or rodent control
- street & highway sweeping
- street & highway lighting
- refuse/garbage collection
- ambulance service
- area planning
- soil conservation & drainage control
- animal control
- transportation services
- geologic hazard abatement
- road maintenance
- open space and habitat conservation
How are Districts, CSAs and Improvement Zones governed?
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is the governing body
for all Board governed Districts, CSAs, and Improvement Zones. The day
to day management and administration is done through the Special
Districts Department.
What input do the property owners of a District, CSA or Improvement
Zone have?
The County Board of Supervisors and the Special Districts Department
depend quite heavily on input from the community. The successful
operation of a District, CSA and Improvement Zone is a team effort
between County staff and property owners. We like to say that we are
here to help you help yourself.
Where needed, the Board of Supervisors
will set up a property owner Advisory Commission or Municipal Advisory
Council (MAC) to work with and make recommendations to the Board and
County staff.
How are Districts, CSAs and Improvement Zones formed?
How are Districts, CSAs, and Improvement Zones financed?
There are various forms of financial mechanisms that can be used to
fund services such as fees, special taxes, assessments, etc. Prior to
a new funding source being implemented, it must receive approval from
either the property owners or the registered voters in the area. It is
important to understand that all funding is generated through the
Districts, CSAs, and Improvement Zones. No County general funds are
used or are available.
Can you assist with public financing for new or existing development?
Yes, the Special Districts Department has an experienced team of staff
and consultants that can assist with the formation and administration
of public finance districts as such Community Facilities Districts and
Assessment Districts to fund your infrastructure needs.
Where can I get further information if I want to pursue this?
The staff of the Special Districts Department is available to answer
questions, attend community meetings and assist in the preparation of
necessary documents.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO SPECIAL
DISTRICTS DEPARTMENT
157 W. FIFTH STREET, 2nd FLOOR
SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92415-0450
(909) 387-5940
Kathy
McDonald, LAFCO, advises:
"Formation of a CSA is the same process as the formation of any other special district. The primary requirement for formation of a CSA is that it include unincorporated territory since the Board of Supervisors by law is the governing body for that agency. Currently Yucca Mesa is within County Service Area 70 which allowed for the formation Improvement Zones TV-5, R-26,
R-29 within the area. If you would like information on the process from the County side, you will need to contact Ms. Pam Vandervoort at the County Special Districts department.
Also on our website you will find under applications, a supplemental form for the formation of a district which generally outlines the Plan for Service that would be required and the definition of the financial information that would need to be submitted.
Kathy
KATHLEEN ROLLINGS-McDONALD
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LAFCO for San Bernardino County
Phone: (909) 383-9900
Fax: (909) 383-9901
The Supplement form
for the formation of a Special District which outlines the requirements for a
Feasibility Study and a projected three-year budget and may be viewed by
clicking HERE.
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