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HISTORY
The end of World War II saw California experiencing a tremendous population increase, which resulted in the sporadic formation of cities and special service districts. The results of this development boom became evident as more of California's agricultural land was converted to urban uses. Premature and unplanned development created inefficient, expensive systems of delivering public services using various small units of local government. Governor Edmund G. Brown, Sr. responded to this problem in 1959 by appointing the Commission on Metropolitan Area Problems. The Commission's charge was to study and make recommendations on the "misuse of land resources" and the growing complexity of overlapping, local governmental jurisdictions. The Commission's recommendations on local governmental reorganization were introduced in the Legislature in 1963, resulting in the creation of Local Agency Formation Commission, or "LAFCOs," operating in each county except San Francisco.

The Cortese-Knox Local Government Reorganization Act of 1985 consolidated three major laws used by California's local governments for boundary changes into a single, unified law. The Cortese-Knox Act became operative on January 1, 1986. LAFCO law was further amended by the comprehensive Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000.

OBJECTIVES
To Encourage The Orderly Formation of Local Governmental Agencies
LAFCO reviews proposals for the formation of new local governmental agencies and changes of organization in existing agencies. In California there are 57 LAFCOs working with nearly 4,000 governmental agencies in 57 counties, 500+ cities, and 3,000+ special districts. In Mono County alone, there are 30 special districts. Agency boundaries, if unregulated, are often unrelated to one another and sometimes overlap at random, often leading to higher service costs to the taxpayer and general confusion regarding service area boundaries.

To Preserve Open Space and Agricultural Land Resources
LAFCO must consider the effect that any proposal will produce on existing open space and agricultural lands. By guiding development toward vacant land within communities and away from open space and agricultural preserves, LAFCO assists with the preservation of our valuable agricultural and open space resources.

To Discourage Urban Sprawl
Urban sprawl can best be described as irregular and disorganized growth occurring without apparent design or plan. By discouraging sprawl, LAFCO limits the misuse of land resources and promotes a more efficient system of local governmental agencies.

To Efficiently Provide Government Services
The State Legislature has recognized that when areas become urbanized to the extent that they need the full range of community services, priorities are required to establish the type and level of service that the community needs and desires; that community service priorities be established by weighing the total community service needs against the total financial resources available for securing community services; and that those community service priorities are required to reflect local circumstances, conditions, and limited financial resources. A single multipurpose government agency is accountable for community service needs and financial resources and therefore may be the best mechanism for establishing community service priorities. The Legislature also recognizes the critical role of many limited purpose agencies, especially in rural communities. Whether governmental services are proposed to be provided by a single purpose agency, cervical agencies, or a multipurpose agency, responsibilities should be given to the agency or agencies that can best provide government services. This Legislative declaration guides Mono LAFCO's role in encouraging efficient government service provision.

AUTHORITY
Boundary Changes
LAFCOs regulate, through approval, conditional approval or denial, the boundary changes proposed by other public agencies or individuals. Mono LAFCO reviews boundary proposals for consistency with LAFCO law and Mono LAFCO policies, procedures and guidelines.

Sphere of Influence Studies
One of the most important charges given LAFCO was the adoption of "Spheres of Influence" for local governments (1972). A "Sphere of Influence" is the physical boundary and service area that a local governmental agency is expected to serve over the next twenty year period. Establishment of this boundary is necessary to determine which governmental agencies can provide services in the most efficient way to the people and property in any given area. The Sphere of Influence requirement also works to discourage urban sprawl by preventing overlapping jurisdictions and duplication of services.

A new LAFCO requirement imposed by the Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 calls for a service review of municipal services provided in Mono County as part of the "Sphere of Influence" update process. This review is to include all agencies that provide services within Mono County.

Initiation of Special District Consolidations
As of July 1, 1994, LAFCOs have the authority to initiate proposals that include the dissolution or consolidation of special districts, or the merging of an existing subsidiary district. Prior to initiating such an action, LAFCO must determine that the district's customers would benefit from the proposal through adoption of a sphere of influence or other special study.

Out of Agency Service Agreements
Cities and districts are required to obtain LAFCO's approval prior to entering into contracts with private individuals or organizations to provide services outside of the agency's boundaries.

RESPONSIBILITIES
LAFCO's are responsible for coordinating logical and timely changes in local governmental boundaries, conducting special studies that review ways to reorganize, simplify and streamline governmental structure and preparing a Sphere of Influence for each city and special district within each county. The Commission's efforts are directed to seeing that services are provided efficiently and economically while agricultural and open space lands are protected.

LEGISLATIVE GOVERNANCE
Commencing with Section 56000, the California Government Code exists to provide LAFCO with its powers, procedures and functions. This law gives LAFCO power to "approve or, disapprove with or without amendment, wholly, partially or conditionally" proposals concerning the formation of cities and special districts, and other changes in jurisdiction or organization of local governmental agencies. In reviewing proposals, LAFCO is required to consider certain factors such as the conformity between city and county plans, current levels and need for future services to the area, and the social, physical and economic effects that agency boundary changes present to the community. LAFCO is also given authority to make studies of existing governmental agencies in an effort to improve the efficiency of urban services.

LAFCO must also follow the Ralph M. Brown Act.

MONO LAFCO
The Mono LAFCO is composed of seven commissioners with designated alternates. Two commissioners are appointed by the Mono County Board of Supervisors, two commissioners appointed by the Town of Mammoth Lakes, two commissioners are appointed by the Special District Selection Committee (comprised of independent special districts), and one commissioner representing the general public appointed by the remaining LAFCO commissioners.

Mono County LAFCO Commissioners:

  • County - Tom Farnetti
  • County - Byng Hunt
  • County (Alternate) - Vikki Magee-Bauer
  • City - Kirk Stapp
  • City - John Eastman
  • Special District
  • Special District
  • Special District
  • Public Member - Pat Eckart
  • Public Member - John Ross

Mono LAFCO staff services are presently provided by the Mono County Community Development Department and are funded by Mono County and the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The commission meets as needed. Current commission activities include municipal service reviews, sphere of influence updates, and policy / procedure development.

 

LAFCO Minutes and Agendas:

June 4, 2008 Agenda

May 7, 2008 Agenda

June 6, 2007 Agenda

May 2, 2007 Agenda

June 2003 Agenda

                 

May 2002 Agenda

Hearing Notice

Resolution 2002-01

June 2003 Agenda

 

LAFCO Documents: