About Cambria

The group of Cambrians organized to protest the new rates for water and wastewater have been spreading word around town that the CCSD intends to take out a loan for at least $8.1 million, an amount confirmed in the CCSD’s budget. About $5 million will be put into reserves for Capital Improvements and Capital Outlay.

What’s the big deal with having a couple extra million in the CCSD’s reserve funds? We’re probably going to need it to do other projects that need to be done, so why not borrow more than we need at the moment? Interest rates are likely to go up, so let’s get while the getting is good.

Here’s the deal:

Here’s a look (from the Municipal Services Review) of the CCSD’s reserve fund over the last several years:

Here’s what the Little Hoover Commission (a California oversight commission) had to say in 2000:

The Little Hoover Commission, the common name for the Milton Marks Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy, is an independent state oversight agency that was created in 1962. It investigates state government and local operations and to promote efficiency, economy and improved service. By statute, the Commission is a balanced bipartisan board composed of five citizen members appointed by the Governor, four citizen members.

Special districts’ financial reserves have become controversial. In 2000, a report by the Little Hoover Commission revealed that special districts reported more than $19.4 billion in reserves to the State Controller in 1996-97. Enterprise special districts, which charge fees, hold most of the reserves.
This large dollar figure raised a red flag for policymakers and the public. Why were the districts setting aside so much money? And how were they planning to spend it?

In response, special district leaders argued that there are legitimate reasons for these reserves. Nearly all of the money in reserves was allocated into specific funds for given purposes. Large reserves are needed to accumulate the capital to pay for large public works projects. Reserves also provide a safety cushion in lean years, stabilizing consumers’ rates.
It became clear to taxpayers and legislators that special districts should improve the way they report their fiscal activities. Specifically, they need to explain the purpose of the reserves. Out of this controversy came a new law that now requires the largest special districts to report their reserves and fiscal information more descriptively to the State Controller’s Office, which will post the information on its web site.

Here’s what the California State Auditor has to say:

In 2003, the California State Auditor published a report entitled: “California’s Independent Water Districts:
Reserve Amounts Are Not Always Sufficiently Justified, and Some Expenses and Contract Decisions Are Questionable” (Auditors are apparently not good at concise titling, but precise is right up their alley.) The document is available for download in the AboutCambria.com Library. The 123 page report examines Special District reserves and makes some recommendations.

To demonstrate that they are using their accumulated public funds to cover reasonable and necessary expenses, water districts should ensure that they have comprehensive reserve policies in place that, at a minimum, do the following:
• Distinguish between restricted and unrestricted net assets.
• Establish distinct purposes for all reserves.
• Set target levels, such as minimums and maximums, for the accumulation of reserves.
• Identify the events or conditions that prompt the use of reserves.
• Conform with plans to acquire or build capital assets.
• Receive board approval and be in writing.
• Require periodic review of reserve balances and the rationale for maintaining them.

What do you think?

You and me and our neighbors are ultimately responsible for any debt incurred by the CCSD, whether Bonds or Taxes or other financing mechanisms. And the California State Constitution was amended to ensure that whenever a local agency enters into an agreement for debt financing, the voters have a say in it. While the CCSD could probably find a place to spend each and every penny of that “loan”, the method they are using violates the spirit, if not the letter of the California Constitution and Government Codes that limit the amount of debt an agency can incur. This is a loophole in the law that must be fixed. Unfortunately for Cambrians, there is zero chance of it being closed before they intend to bank the new funds. Also unfortunate: the message implicit in not asking the community to vote for funding through a bond: they don’t trust their neighbors and friends to approve whatever projects the money would be used for. A bond would restrict the money to whatever project it was said to be for on the ballot. There is no such restriction with this particular kind of funding.

In tight times, we should expect the General Manager, Engineers and Board of Directors to take a longer, harder look at the priorities of the District and at least give a nod of recognition to the fact that the CCSD has decided that there will not be growing number of people among which the cost can be spread. Not many of the working people will be able to afford to have such a slick and high-end District.

I’d like to see more effort to include everyone in the planning and direction-setting conversations. Not everyone has the inclination to attend Bored Board Meetings. There are a multitude of alternative ways to engage the community – most of which have never been considered here. I think it’s about time we tried some of them.

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Thursday’s CCSD meeting was one of the shortest in 2008 – partially because the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Presentation by Dennis Offerman, Assistant Manager Cambria CERT and the Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan Presentation by Fire Chief Putney were postponed and partially because President Cobin kept a tight reign on the 3 minute per person public comments. It was only 4:20 when the Board went into closed session.

In case you haven’t caught the meeting on channel 21 (or don’t have 4 hours to sit and watch it), here is a brief rundown of the interesting points of the meeting:

During her report, General Manager Tammy Rudock announced that beginning on July 1, the CCSD office would only be open from 9am to 4pm, instead of 8am to 5pm, because two staff members are on medical leave and hiring a temp isn’t possible. Creating a backlog and routine duties into overtime. Getting through billing without a billing clerk. On July 15, the hours will be further reduced to 10-3pm.

She also tried to clarify that the CCSD sent out an official 218 notice, but that another mailing went out that contained protest forms that was not CCSD generated, but done by CFR. She said that the protest forms should be sent to the CCSD directly at P.O. Box 65, or be brought into the office or dropped in the CCSD’s Bill drop box. She said they are accepting the forms the CFR sent out. Director Chaldecott asked about forms returned in a CFR envelope. Ms. Rudock explained, saying “I would assume that there would be some contact with the CFR saying we got some of their mail….The process is clearly the CCSD’s…. and the CCSD is the official repository of the protest statements including up until the conclusion of the hearing on July 14.” Director Clift asked for clarification on whether the protest had to be postmarked or actually recieved by the deadline. The answer is: it must be in the hands of the CCSD by the close of the July 14 hearing, postmarks are not accepted. She said she hadn’t counted the number of protests so couldn’t give an idea about how it was going.

The biggest news from the General Manager’s report was the impending retirement of Fire Chief Bob Putney, effective December 31, 2008. Ms. Rudock praised him, calling him “the most loyal employee of anyone she’s worked with in my 20 year public service career” and saying he always has the community’s best interests at heart. Ms. Rudock then told everyone she had decided to appoint Assistant Chief Mark Miller succeed Bob Putney. The contract terms still need to be negotiated. He’s been with the Cambria Fire Department as assistant chief for two years and has 30 years of service, including 20 years as a line suppression captain, emergency medical services coordinator and deputy fire marshal and certified paramedic and currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in advanced fire administration.

The Board approved the consent agenda Which included adopting Resolution 20-2008 Ratifying the Memorandum of Understanding with Local 4635 IAFF (International Association Fire Fighters) without discussion or public comment. It makes me a bit uneasy, personally, that they would approve a contract without public discussion and no one from the public (including me) commented. I’m curious how Chief Putney’s retirement might necessitate changes to the contract, with Mark Miller taking the position and Ms. Rudock indicating they will not be filling the assistant chief position. A little discussion that at least showed the Directors had read the contract would have been nice. Director Funke-Bilu abstained from the vote without explanation.

Coming tomorrow (time allowing): The rest of the meeting including the LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) presentation of DRAFT CCSD Municipal Service Review (MSR), the Review progress on 2008 CCSD Board Goals/Objectives and the public hearing on trash rates and Fire Suppression Benefit assessment and the fun that happened during public comment. If you get channel 21, I recommend checking it out. The audio recording of the meeting doesn’t do the actions justice.

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In the CCSD’s agenda for June 26 are two items that may seem familiar: A increase on our trash collection rates and an increase in the fire suppression benefit assessment (linked to the consumer price index). I’d like to offer the actual text of the California Constitution regarding rates, fees and assessments. To download a printable version of this post Click Here. For a more thorough discussion of Prop 218 and our rights as taxpayers, download this Prop 218 Implementation Guide put together by the League of California Cities.

Two things to take note of:

1. the “Discussion” of the fire suppression adjustment states: CCSD Resolution 27-2003 confirmed the special benefit assessment for fire suppression. On or before July 1st of each subsequent fiscal year, and pursuant to Government Code §§ 50078 et seq., the assessment may be increased for the ensuing year based upon the Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles/Anaheim/Riverside area not to exceed 5.4%. The State of California Division of Labor Statistics & Research recorded a 2.9% increase for the designated area for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. If I were a lawyer….
2. Mission County has provided ample documentation in their request to the CCSD for a rate increase. The Board Agenda Packet includes their request letter, an audited financial statement, a budget and a few other relevant items. They have done their part, in my humble opinion, but the CCSD has not followed through with their obligation to notify us so we could exercise our rights under 218.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13C (VOTER APPROVAL FOR LOCAL TAX LEVIES) SECTION 1. Definitions. As used in this article: (a) “General tax” means any tax imposed for general governmental purposes. (b) “Local government” means any county, city, city and county,including a charter

city or county, any special district, or any other local or regional governmental entity. (c) “Special district” means an agency of the State, formed pursuant to general law or a special act, for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions with limited geographic boundaries including, but not limited to, school districts and redevelopment agencies. (d) “Special tax” means any tax imposed for specific purposes,including a tax imposed for

specific purposes, which is placed into a general fund.
CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 13C (VOTER APPROVAL FOR LOCAL TAX LEVIES)
SEC. 2. Local Government Tax Limitation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution:

(a) All taxes imposed by any local government shall be deemed to be either general taxes or special taxes. Special purpose districts or agencies, including school districts, shall have no power to levy general taxes.

(b) No local government may impose, extend, or increase any general tax unless and until that tax is submitted to the electorate and approved by a majority vote. A general tax shall not be deemed to have been increased if it is imposed at a rate not higher than the maximum rate so approved. The election required by this subdivision shall be consolidated with a regularly scheduled general election for members of the governing body of the local government, except in cases of emergency declared by a unanimous vote of the governing body.

(c) Any general tax imposed, extended, or increased, without voter approval, by any local government on or after January 1, 1995, and prior to the effective date of this article, shall continue to be imposed only if approved by a majority vote of the voters voting in an election on the issue of the imposition, which election shall be held within two years of the effective date of this article and in compliance with subdivision (b).

(d) No local government may impose, extend, or increase any special tax unless and until that tax is submitted to the electorate and approved by a two-thirds vote. A special tax shall not be deemed to have been increased if it is imposed at a rate not higher than the maximum rate so approved.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13C (VOTER APPROVAL FOR LOCAL TAX LEVIES)

SEC. 3. Initiative Power for Local Taxes, Assessments, Fees and Charges. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, including, but not limited to, Sections 8 and 9 of Article II, the initiative power shall not be prohibited or otherwise limited matters of reducing or repealing any local tax, assessment, fee or charge. The power of initiative to affect local taxes, assessments, fees and charges shall be applicable to all local governments and neither the Legislature nor any local government charter shall impose a signature requirement higher than that applicable to statewide statutory initiatives.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13D (ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY-RELATED FEE REFORM)

SECTION 1. Application. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this article shall apply to all assessments, fees and charges, whether imposed pursuant to state statute or local government charter authority. Nothing in this article or Article XIIIC shall be construed to:

(a) Provide any new authority to any agency to impose a tax, assessment, fee, or charge.

(b) Affect existing laws relating to the imposition of fees or charges as a condition of property development.

(c) Affect existing laws relating to the imposition of timber yield taxes.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13D (ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY-RELATED FEE REFORM)

SEC. 2. Definitions. As used in this article:

(a) “Agency” means any local government as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIIIC.

(b) “Assessment” means any levy or charge upon real property by an agency for a special benefit conferred upon the real property. “Assessment” includes, but is not limited to, “special assessment,” “benefit assessment,” “maintenance assessment” and “special assessment tax.”

(c) “Capital cost” means the cost of acquisition, installation, construction, reconstruction, or replacement of a permanent public improvement by an agency.

(d) “District” means an area determined by an agency to contain all parcels which will receive a special benefit from a proposed public improvement or property-related service.

(e) “Fee” or “charge” means any levy other than an ad valorem tax, a special tax, or an assessment, imposed by an agency upon a parcel or upon a person as an incident of property ownership, including a user fee or charge for a property related service.

(f) “Maintenance and operation expenses” means the cost of rent, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, fuel, power, electrical current, care, and supervision necessary to properly operate and maintain a permanent public improvement.

(g) “Property ownership” shall be deemed to include tenancies of real property where tenants are directly liable to pay the assessment, fee, or charge in question.

(h) “Property-related service” means a public service having a direct relationship to property ownership.

(i) “Special benefit” means a particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits conferred on real property located in the district or to the public at large. General enhancement of property value does not constitute “special benefit.”

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13D (ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY-RELATED FEE REFORM)

SEC. 4. Procedures and Requirements for All Assessments.

(a) An agency which proposes to levy an assessment shall identify all parcels which will have a special benefit conferred upon them and upon which an assessment will be imposed. The proportionate special benefit derived by each identified parcel shall be determined in relationship to the entirety of the capital cost of a public improvement, the maintenance and operation expenses of a public improvement, or the cost of the property related service being provided. No assessment shall be imposed on any parcel which exceeds the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on that parcel. Only special benefits are assessable, and an agency shall separate the general benefits from the special benefits conferred on a parcel. Parcels within a district that are owned or used by any agency, the State of California or the United States shall not be exempt from assessment unless the agency can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that those publicly owned parcels in fact receive no special benefit.

(b) All assessments shall be supported by a detailed engineer’s report prepared by a registered professional engineer certified by the State of California.

(c) The amount of the proposed assessment for each identified parcel shall be calculated and the record owner of each parcel shall be given written notice by mail of the proposed assessment, the total amount thereof chargeable to the entire district, the amount chargeable to the owner’s particular parcel, the duration of the payments, the reason for the assessment and the basis upon which the amount of the proposed assessment was calculated, together with the date, time, and location of a public hearing on the proposed assessment. Each notice shall also include, in a conspicuous place thereon, a summary of the procedures applicable to the completion, return, and tabulation of the ballots required pursuant to subdivision (d), including a disclosure statement that the existence of a majority protest, as defined in subdivision (e), will result in the assessment not being imposed.

(d) Each notice mailed to owners of identified parcels within the district pursuant to subdivision (c) shall contain a ballot which includes the agency’s address for receipt of the ballot once completed by any owner receiving the notice whereby the owner may indicate his or her name, reasonable identification of the parcel, and his or her support or opposition to the proposed assessment.

(e) The agency shall conduct a public hearing upon the proposed assessment not less than 45 days after mailing the notice of the proposed assessment to record owners of each identified parcel. At the public hearing, the agency shall consider all protests against the proposed assessment and tabulate the ballots. The agency shall not impose an assessment if there is a majority protest. A majority protest exists if, upon the conclusion of the hearing, ballots submitted in opposition to the assessment exceed the ballots submitted in favor of the assessment. In tabulating the ballots, the ballots shall be weighted according to the proportional financial obligation of the affected property.

(f) In any legal action contesting the validity of any assessment, the burden shall be on the agency to demonstrate that the property or properties in question receive a special benefit over and above the benefits conferred on the public at large and that the amount of any contested assessment is proportional to, and no greater than, the benefits conferred on the property or properties in question.

(g) Because only special benefits are assessable, electors residing within the district who do not own property within the district shall not be deemed under this Constitution to have been deprived of the right to vote for any assessment. If a court determines that the Constitution of the United States or other federal law requires otherwise, the assessment shall not be imposed unless approved by a two-thirds vote of the electorate in the district in addition to being approved by the property owners as required by subdivision (e).

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13D (ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY-RELATED FEE REFORM)

SEC. 5. Effective Date. Pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10 of Article II, the provisions of this article shall become effective the day after the election unless otherwise provided. Beginning July 1, 1997, all existing, new, or increased assessments shall comply with this article. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following assessments existing on the effective date of this article shall be exempt from the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4:

(a) Any assessment imposed exclusively to finance the capital costs or maintenance and operation expenses for sidewalks, streets, sewers, water, flood control, drainage systems or vector control. Subsequent increases in such assessments shall be subject to the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4.

(b) Any assessment imposed pursuant to a petition signed by the persons owning all of the parcels subject to the assessment at the time the assessment is initially imposed. Subsequent increases in such assessments shall be subject to the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4.

(c) Any assessment the proceeds of which are exclusively used to repay bonded indebtedness of which the failure to pay would violate the Contract Impairment Clause of the Constitution of the United States.

(d) Any assessment which previously received majority voter approval from the voters voting in an election on the issue of the assessment. Subsequent increases in those assessments shall be subject to the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13D (ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY-RELATED FEE REFORM)

SEC. 6. Property Related Fees and Charges.

(a) Procedures for New or Increased Fees and Charges. An agency shall follow the procedures pursuant to this section in imposing or increasing any fee or charge as defined pursuant to this article, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The parcels upon which a fee or charge is proposed for imposition shall be identified. The amount of the fee or charge proposed to be imposed upon each parcel shall be calculated. The agency shall provide written notice by mail of the proposed fee or charge to the record owner of each identified parcel upon which the fee or charge is proposed for imposition, the amount of the fee or charge proposed to be imposed upon each, the basis upon which the amount of the proposed fee or charge was calculated, the reason for the fee or charge, together with the date, time, and location of a public hearing on the proposed fee or charge.

(2) The agency shall conduct a public hearing upon the proposed fee or charge not less than 45 days after mailing the notice of the proposed fee or charge to the record owners of each identified parcel upon which the fee or charge is proposed for imposition. At the public hearing, the agency shall consider all protests against the proposed fee or charge. If written protests against the proposed fee or charge are presented by a majority of owners of the identified parcels, the agency shall not impose the fee or charge.

(b) Requirements for Existing, New or Increased Fees and Charges. A fee or charge shall not be extended, imposed, or increased by any agency unless it meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Revenues derived from the fee or charge shall not exceed the s required to provide the property related service.

(2) Revenues derived from the fee or charge shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which the fee or charge was imposed.

(3) The amount of a fee or charge imposed upon any parcel or person as an incident of property ownership shall not exceed the proportional cost of the service attributable to the parcel.

(4) No fee or charge may be imposed for a service unless that service is actually used by, or immediately available to, the owner of the property in question. Fees or charges based on potential or future use of a service are not permitted. Standby charges, whether characterized as charges or assessments, shall be classified as assessments and shall not be imposed without compliance with Section 4.

(5) No fee or charge may be imposed for general governmental services including, but not limited to, police, fire, ambulance or library services, where the service is available to the public at large in substantially the same manner as it is to property owners. Reliance by an agency on any parcel map, including, but not limited to, an assessor’s parcel map, may be considered a significant factor in determining whether a fee or charge is imposed as an incident of property ownership for purposes of this article. In any legal action contesting the validity of a fee or charge, the burden shall be on the agency to demonstrate compliance with this article.

(c) Voter Approval for New or Increased Fees and Charges. Except for fees or charges for sewer, water, and refuse collection services, no property related fee or charge shall be imposed or increased unless and until that fee or charge is submitted and approved by a majority vote of the property owners of the property subject to the fee or charge or, at the option of the agency, by a two-thirds vote of the electorate residing in the affected area. The election shall be conducted not less than 45 days after the public hearing. An agency may adopt procedures similar to those for increases in assessments in the conduct of elections under this subdivision. (Note: The recent ruling of Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency v. Beringson held that water and sewer rates are “property related” and as such are subject to this law.)

(d) Beginning July 1, 1997, all fees or charges shall comply with this section.

The Government Code cited by CCSD as the authority for the consumer price increase adjustment to the fire suppression assessment. It primarily applies to that assessment. In my humble opinion, the procedures described here were not followed by the CCSD.

GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53750-53755

53750. For purposes of Article XIIIC and Article XIIID of the California Constitution and this article:

(a) “Agency” means any local government as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIIIC of the California Constitution.

(b) “Assessment” means any levy or charge by an agency upon real property that is based upon the special benefit conferred upon the real property by a public improvement or service, that is imposed to pay the capital cost of the public improvement, the maintenance and operation expenses of the public improvement, or the cost of the service being provided. “Assessment” includes, but is not limited to, “special assessment,” “benefit assessment,” “maintenance assessment,” and “special assessment tax.”

(c) “District” means an area that is determined by an agency to contain all of the parcels that will receive a special benefit from a proposed public improvement or service.

(d) “Drainage system” means any system of public improvements that is intended to provide for erosion control, landslide abatement, or for other types of water drainage.

(e) “Extended,” when applied to an existing tax or fee or charge, means a decision by an agency to extend the stated effective period for the tax or fee or charge, including, but not limited to, amendment or removal of a sunset provision or expiration date.

(f) “Flood control” means any system of public improvements that is intended to protect property from overflow by water.

(g) “Identified parcel” means a parcel of real property that an agency has identified as having a special benefit conferred upon it and upon which a proposed assessment is to be imposed, or a parcel of real property upon which a proposed property-related fee or charge is proposed to be imposed.

(h) (1) “Increased,” when applied to a tax, assessment, or property-related fee or charge, means a decision by an agency that does either of the following:

(A) Increases any applicable rate used to calculate the tax, assessment, fee or charge.

(B) Revises the methodology by which the tax, assessment, fee or charge is calculated, if that revision results in an increased amount being levied on any person or parcel.

(2) A tax, fee, or charge is not deemed to be “increased” by an agency action that does either or both of the following:

(A) Adjusts the amount of a tax or fee or charge in accordance with a schedule of adjustments, including a clearly defined formula for inflation adjustment that was adopted by the agency prior to November 6, 1996.

(B) Implements or collects a previously approved tax, or fee or charge, so long as the rate is not increased beyond the level previously approved by the agency, and the methodology previously approved by the agency is not revised so as to result in an increase in the amount being levied on any person or parcel.

(3) A tax, assessment, fee or charge is not deemed to be “increased” in the case in which the actual payments from a person or property are higher than would have resulted when the agency approved the tax, assessment, or fee or charge, if those higher payments are attributable to events other than an increased rate or revised methodology, such as a change in the density, intensity, or nature of the use of land.

(i) “Notice by mail” means any notice required by Article XIIIC or XIIID of the California Constitution that is accomplished through a mailing, postage prepaid, deposited in the United States Postal Service and is deemed given when so deposited. Notice by mail may be included in any other mailing to the record owner that otherwise complies with Article XIIIC or XIIID of the California Constitution and this article, including, but not limited to, the mailing of a bill for the collection of an assessment or a property-related fee or charge.

(j) “Record owner” means the owner of a parcel whose name and address appears on the last equalized secured property tax assessment roll, or in the case of any public entity, the State of California, or the United States, means the representative of that public entity at the address of that entity known to the agency.

(k) “Registered professional engineer” means an engineer registered pursuant to the Professional Engineers Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code).

(l) “Vector control” means any system of public improvements or services that is intended to provide for the surveillance,prevention, abatement, and control of vectors as defined in subdivision (k) of Section 2002 of the Health and Safety Code and a pest as defined in Section 5006 of the Food and Agricultural Code.

(m) “Water” means any system of public improvements intended to provide for the production, storage, supply, treatment, or distribution of water.

53752. The Department of General Services shall develop compliance standards in the State Administrative Manual (SAM) to inform owners of state property of their duties and responsibilities pursuant to this article and Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution.

53753. (a) The notice, protest, and hearing requirements imposed by this section supersede any statutory provisions applicable to the levy of a new or increased assessment that is in existence on the effective date of this section, whether or not that provision is in conflict with this article. Any agency that complies with the notice, protest, and hearing requirements of this section shall not be required to comply with any other statutory notice, protest, and hearing requirements that would otherwise be applicable to the levy of a new or increased assessment, with the exception of Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 3100) of the Streets and Highways Code. If the requirements of that division apply to the levy of a new or increased assessment, the levying agency shall comply with the notice, protest, and hearing requirements imposed by this section as well as with the requirements of that division.

(b) Prior to levying a new or increased assessment, or an existing assessment that is subject to the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution, an agency shall give notice by mail to the record owner of each identified parcel. Each notice shall include the total amount of the proposed assessment chargeable to the entire district, the amount chargeable to the record owner’s parcel, the duration of the payments, the reason for the assessment and the basis upon which the amount of the proposed assessment was calculated, and the date, time, and location of a public hearing on the proposed assessment. Each notice shall also include, in a conspicuous place thereon, a summary of the procedures for the completion, return, and tabulation of the assessment ballots required pursuant to subdivision (c), including a statement that the assessment shall not be imposed if the ballots submitted in opposition to the assessment exceed the ballots submitted in favor of the assessment, with ballots weighted according to the proportional financial obligation of the affected property. An agency shall give notice by mail at least 45 days prior to the date of the public hearing upon the proposed assessment.

(c) Each notice given pursuant to subdivision (b) shall contain an assessment ballot that includes the agency’s address for receipt of the form and a place where the person returning the assessment ballot may indicate his or her name, a reasonable identification of the parcel, and his or her support or opposition to the proposed assessment. Each assessment ballot shall be in a form that conceals its contents once it is sealed by the person submitting the assessment ballot. Each assessment ballot shall be signed and either mailed or otherwise delivered to the address indicated on the assessment ballot. Regardless of the method of delivery, all assessment ballots shall be received at the address indicated, or the site of the public testimony, in order to be included in the tabulation of a majority protest pursuant to subdivision (e). Assessment ballots shall remain sealed until the tabulation of ballots pursuant to subdivision (e) commences, provided that an assessment ballot may be submitted, or changed, or withdrawn by the person who submitted the ballot prior to the conclusion of the public testimony on the proposed assessment at the hearing required pursuant to subdivision (d). An agency may provide an envelope for the return of the assessment ballot, provided that if the return envelope is opened by the agency prior to the tabulation of ballots pursuant to subdivision (e), the enclosed assessment ballot shall remain sealed as provided in this section.

(d) At the time, date, and place stated in the notice mailed pursuant to subdivision (b), the agency shall conduct a public hearing upon the proposed assessment. At the public hearing, the agency shall consider all objections or protests, if any, to the proposed assessment. At the public hearing, any person shall be permitted to present written or oral testimony. The public hearing may be continued from time to time.

(e) (1) At the conclusion of the public hearing conducted pursuant to subdivision (d), an impartial person designated by the agency who does not have a vested interest in the outcome of the proposed assessment shall tabulate the assessment ballots submitted, and not withdrawn, in support of or opposition to the proposed assessment. In a city, the impartial person may include, but is not limited to, the clerk of the agency. The impartial person may use technological methods of tabulating the assessment ballots, including, but not limited to, punchcard or optically readable (bar-coded) assessment ballots. During and after the tabulation, the assessment ballots shall be treated as disclosable public records, as defined in Section 6252, and equally available for inspection by the proponents and the opponents of the proposed assessment. In the event that more than one of the record owners of an identified parcel submits an assessment ballot, the amount of the proposed assessment to be imposed upon the identified parcel shall be allocated to each ballot submitted in proportion to the respective record ownership interests or, if the ownership interests are not shown on the record, as established to the satisfaction of the agency by documentation provided by those record owners.

(2) A majority protest exists if the assessment ballots submitted, and not withdrawn, in opposition to the proposed assessment exceed the assessment ballots submitted, and not withdrawn, in its favor, weighting those assessment ballots by the amount of the proposed assessment to be imposed upon the identified parcel for which each assessment ballot was submitted.

(3) If there is a majority protest against the imposition of a new assessment, or the extension of an existing assessment, or an increase in an existing assessment, the agency shall not impose, extend, or increase the assessment.

(4) The majority protest proceedings described in this subdivision shall not constitute an election or voting for purposes of Article II of the California Constitution or of the California Elections Code.

53753.5. (a) If an agency has complied with the notice, protest, and hearing requirements of Section 53753, or if an agency is not required to comply with those requirements because the assessment is exempt from the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution, then those requirements shall not apply in subsequent fiscal years unless the assessment methodology is changed to increase the assessment, or the amount of that assessment is proposed to exceed an assessment formula or range of assessments adopted by an agency in accordance with Article XIIID of the California Constitution or Section 53753. (Note: This is the exception they are likely relying upon.)

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the following assessments existing on the effective date of Article XIIID of the California Constitution shall be exempt from the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4 of that article:

(1) Any assessment imposed exclusively to finance the capital costs or maintenance and operation expenses for sidewalks, streets, sewers, water, flood control, drainage systems, or vector control.

(2) Any assessment imposed pursuant to a petition signed by the persons owning all of the parcels subject to the assessment at the time the assessment is initially imposed.

(3) Any assessment the proceeds of which are exclusively used to repay bonded indebtedness of which the failure to pay would violate the Contract Impairment Clause of the Constitution of the United States.

(4) Any assessment that previously received majority voter approval from the voters voting in an election on the issue of the assessment.

Any subsequent increases in an assessment listed in paragraph (1), (2), or (4) shall be subject to the procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution.

(c) For purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Assessments existing on the effective date of Article XIIID of the California Constitution” means assessments levied by the legislative body of the agency on or before November 6, 1996.

(2) “Procedures and approval process set forth in Section 4 of Article XIIID” means all of the requirements set forth in Section 4 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution, including, but not limited to, the requirement to separate general and special benefits and the requirement to assess parcels that are owned or used by an agency, the State of California, or the United States of America.

53754. (a) The legislative body collecting assessment installments to secure bonds issued pursuant to the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Division 10 (commencing with Section 8500) of the Streets and Highways Code) shall designate an office, department, or bureau of the local agency that shall be responsible for annually preparing then current tax roll of assessment installment obligations by assessor’s parcel number on property within the assessment district. The designated office, department, or bureau shall be the same office, department, or bureau that prepares the “NOTICE OF SPECIAL TAX” required by Section 53340.2. If notice is required under both this section and Section 53340.2, the notices shall, to the extent feasible, be combined into a single notice document. The designated office, department, or bureau shall establish procedures to promptly respond to inquiries concerning installments on the current tax roll. Neither the designated office, department, or bureau, nor the legislative body, shall be liable if any estimate of assessment installments on the current tax roll is inaccurate, nor for any failure of any seller to request a Notice of Special Assessment or to provide the notice to a buyer.

(b) For purposes of enabling sellers of real property subject to the levy of assessments to satisfy the notice requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 1102.6 of the Civil Code, the designated office, department, or bureau shall furnish a Notice of Assessment to any individual requesting the notice or any owner of property subject to an assessment levied by the local agency within five working days of receiving a request for such notice. The local agency may charge a reasonable fee for this service not to exceed ten dollars ($10).

(c) The notice shall contain the heading “NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT” in type no smaller than 8-point type, and shall be in substantially the following form. The form may be modified as needed to clearly and accurately present the required information or to consolidate information about two or more assessment districts that collect installments of assessments with respect to the lot, parcel, or unit. The notice shall be completed by the designated office, department, or bureau except for the signatures and date of signing:

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. ______ OF

(CITY) (COUNTY) (SPECIAL DISTRICT), CALIFORNIA

TO: THE PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF THE REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS:
Assessor’s Parcel Number: _______

Street Address: _________________

_________________________________.

THIS IS A NOTIFICATION TO YOU PRIOR TO YOUR PURCHASING THIS PROPERTY.
This property is within the above-named assessment district. The

assessment district has issued bonds to finance the acquisition or

construction of certain public improvements that are of direct and

special benefit to property within the assessment district. The

bonds will be repaid from annual assessment installments on property

within the assessment district.
This property is subject to annual assessment installments of the

assessment district that will appear on your property tax bills, but

which are in addition to the regular property taxes and any other

charges and levies that will be listed on the property tax bill. If

you fail to pay assessment installments when due each year, the

property may be foreclosed upon and sold.
The annual assessment installment against this property as shown on

the most recent tax bill for the ____-____ tax year is ____ dollars

($____). Assessment installments will be collected each year until

the assessment bonds are repaid.
The public facilities that are being paid for by the money received

from the sale of bonds that are being repaid by the assessments, are:
(LIST)
These facilities may not yet have all been constructed or acquired

and it is possible that some may never be constructed or acquired.

YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS ASSESSMENT AND THE BENEFITS FROM THE PUBLIC

FACILITIES FOR WHICH IT PAYS INTO ACCOUNT IN DECIDING WHETHER TO BUY

THIS PROPERTY.
YOU MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THE RESOLUTION CONFIRMING ASSESSMENTS THAT

SPECIFIES MORE PRECISELY HOW THE ASSESSMENTS ARE APPORTIONED AMONG

PROPERTIES IN THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FROM THE ____ (name of

jurisdiction) BY CALLING ____ (telephone number). THERE MAY BE A

CHARGE FOR THIS DOCUMENT NOT TO EXCEED THE ESTIMATED REASONABLE COST

OF PROVIDING THE DOCUMENT.
I (WE) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I (WE) HAVE RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS

NOTICE. I (WE) UNDERSTAND THAT I (WE) MAY TERMINATE THE CONTRACT TO

PURCHASE OR DEPOSIT RECEIPT AFTER RECEIVING THIS NOTICE FROM THE

OWNER OR AGENT SELLING THE PROPERTY. THE CONTRACT MAY BE TERMINATED

WITHIN THREE DAYS IF THE NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN PERSON OR WITHIN FIVE

DAYS AFTER IT WAS DEPOSITED IN THE MAIL BY GIVING WRITTEN NOTICE OF

THAT TERMINATION TO THE OWNER OR AGENT SELLING THE PROPERTY.
DATE:_______________________
____________________________

Buyer

____________________________

Buyer

53755. (a) (1) The notice required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 6 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution of a proposed increase of an existing fee or charge for a property-related service being provided to a parcel may be given by including it in the agency’s regular billing statement for the fee or charge or by any other mailing by the agency to the address to which the agency customarily mails the billing statement for the fee or charge.

(2) The notice required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 6 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution of a proposed new fee or charge may be given in the manner authorized for notice of an increase of a fee or charge if the agency is currently providing an existing property-related service to the address.

(3) If the agency desires to preserve any authority it may have to record or enforce a lien on the parcel to which service is provided, the agency shall also mail notice to the recordowner’s address shown on the last equalized assessment roll if that address is different than the billing or service address.

(b) One written protest per parcel, filed by an owner or tenant of the parcel, shall be counted in calculating a majority protest to a proposed new or increased fee or charge subject to the requirements of Section 6 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution.

(c) Any agency that bills, collects, and remits a fee or charge on behalf of another agency may provide the notice required by Section 6 of Article XIIID of the California Constitution on behalf of the other agency. (Note: I believe this could apply to the trash rate increase…)

Another item to watch for at this month’s meeting: The agenda indicates they will adjourn to closed session – but doesn’t specify the matters in any way.

1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION
Pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 54956.9 (2 matters)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivison (c) of Section
54956.9 (3 matters)

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Have you gotten this email??

Cell phone numbers going public today REMINDER….all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies today and you will start to receive sale calls. ….YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time it blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS. It take about 20 seconds.

When I read it, I thought I’d check up on this dire warning. Here’s what I found:

The Truth directly from the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call web site:

You may place your personal cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. The registry has accepted cell phone numbers since it opened for registrations in June 2003. There is no deadline to register a home or cell phone number on the Registry.

You may have received an email telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database; however, that is not the case. Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers.

I verified this information by checking with the California State Attorney General’s web site and the Federal Trade Commission’s web site where I found this press release from April 2008.

Freshly added to the growing collection of expenditures reports the CCSD presents and approves at each meeting: Report for the period ending May 31, 2008. Budget Expenditure Reports are easy to find in the Library: Select the category CCSD and select any of the documents labeled “Budget Expenditure Report”.

The expenditures report is part of the Board Packet for the June 26, 2008 CCSD meeting. The entire packet can be downloaded from Cambriacsd.org. The meeting starts at 12:30 tomorrow.

Muril Clift offers this story for keeping perspective:

Most of us live our lives trying to make the best of the surroundings we find ourselves a part of.  We seek some challenges in our work and try to participate in our communities through our children, church or community activities.  Very few will “put it all on the line” to challenge themselves to achieve goals beyond most of our dreams.  Although everything we do daily is the most important thing to us, consider the great adventure of Zac Sunderland.

A week ago this young man age 16 left Long Beach, alone, aboard a 36 foot sailboat for a journey to challenge himself with the ultimate test.  The first leg of his journey is a 4500 mile 5 week sail to the Marshall Islands.  5 weeks alone at sea, testing his physical ability and even greater his mental ability to cope with loneliness and the unknowns he will have to conquer.  From the Marshall’s he plans to continue his quest to sail around the world and become the youngest person to accomplish that goal.  You can follow his efforts online at www.zacsunderland.com.

When you get down or discouraged think of Zac and his minute by minute challenge to stay alive and conquer his internal doubts knowing there is little help for him out there other than his own resources.  Even if he does not accomplish his ultimate goal he will have know he has challenged himself to the ultimate limit and can face any future challenges as man.

Zac’s dream of sailing around the world and his pursue of the dream by putting together the sponsors who are making it happen is an example to all of us.  Although our dreams and passions may not be as lofty as Zac’s I hope he is an inspiration to you to carry forward with whatever you consider your important contribution to the human spirit.

God’s speed Zac.

Just posted: The Agenda for the CCSD’s meeting this Thursday. Check the CCSD website to download a printable version.

This agenda is prepared and posted pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. By listing a topic on this agenda, the District’s Board of Directors has expressed its intent to discuss and act on each item. In addition to any action identified in the summary description of each item, the action that may be taken by the Board of Directors shall include: a referral to staff with specific requests for information; continuance; specific direction to staff concerning the policy or mission of the item; discontinuance of consideration; authorization to enter into negotiations and execute agreements pertaining to the item; adoption or approval; and disapproval. Copies of the staff reports or other documentation relating to each item of business referred to on the agenda are on file in the Office of the District Clerk, available for public inspection during District business hours. If requested, the agenda and supporting documents shall be made available in alternative formats to persons with a disability. The District Clerk will answer any questions regarding the agenda.

I. OPENING

A. Call to Order

B. Pledge of Allegiance

C. Establishment of Quorum

D. Report from Closed Session

II. AGENDA REVIEW: ADDITIONS/DELETIONS AND PULLED CONSENT ITEMS (Estimated Time: 5 minutes)

III. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/PRESENTATIONS

SLO County Public Works Department Status Report on Cambria Drive Widening/Flood Control Project and Moonstone Beach Bridge Replacement Project, Dave Flynn

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Presentation, Dennis Offerman, Assistant Manager Cambria CERT

Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan Presentation, Fire Chief Putney (Estimated Time: 30 minutes)

IV. SPECIAL REPORTS

A. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT (Estimated Time: 5 minutes)

V. MANAGER’S AND BOARD REPORTS

A. MANAGER’S REPORT (Estimated Time: 10 minutes)

B. MEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Executive Ad Hoc Committee

VI. CONSENT AGENDA

All matters on the consent calendar are to be approved by one motion. If Directors wish to discuss a consent item other than simple clarifying questions, a request for removal may be made. Such items are pulled for separate discussion and action after the consent calendar as a whole is acted upon.

A. Approve Expenditures for Month of May 2008

B. Approve Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting, May 13 and May 22, 2008

C. Adopt Resolution 19-2008 Requesting CCSD 2008 Biennial Election be Consolidated with San Luis Obispo County for the November 4, 2008 Consolidated General Election

D. Adopt Resolution 20-2008 Ratifying Memorandum of Understanding with Local 4635 IAFF (International Association Fire Fighters) (Estimated Time: 15 minutes)

VII. REGULAR BUSINESS

A. Receive LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) presentation of DRAFT CCSD Municipal Service Review (MSR)

B. Review progress on 2008 CCSD Board Goals/Objectives

(Estimated Time: 90 minutes)

VIII. HEARINGS AND APPEALS

A. Public Hearing to Consider the Adoption of Resolution 21-2008 Authorizing the Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment Consumer Price Index Adjustment in the Amount of 2.9%

B. Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution 22-2008 Authorizing Mission Country Proposed Interim Rate Adjustment in the Amount of 2.94%

C. Public Hearing for Introduction of Ordinance 02-2008 to Provide for a Property Lien Process for Mission Country Disposal to Collect Delinquent Customer Accounts

(Estimated Time: 60 minutes)

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public wishing to address the Board on any item not listed on the agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Cambria CSD may do so when recognized by the President. Public comments during this and other portions of the agenda will be limited to 3 minutes per person.

X. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION, 1316 Tamson Drive, Suite 204, Cambria

1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 54956.9 (2 matters)

2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 54956.9 (3 matters)

For those of you who want to protest the rate increase recently proposed, AboutCambria.com offers a protest form letter (created by the CFR) for download. The deadline for registering your protest is July 14, 2008. The form has the P.O. Box for CFR listed as where it should be sent. You can also send it to the CCSD’s P.O. Box 65 or save a stamp and carry the letter to their offices behind Heritage Oaks Bank off of Tamson. If you remain silent (or your protest gets lost in the mail), CCSD will consider that you consent.

Prop 218 Protest Form

NOTICE: AboutCambria.com is offering this download of the form letter developed and distributed by CFR as a service to Cambrians. All Cambrians are welcome and have a voice on AboutCambria.com, however the views and actions of CFR do not necessarily reflect the views of all Cambrians or this site. For questions or information about CFR, call 0854 or snail mail to P.O. Box 1780.

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Other than exercising our right to vote and choosing our Board, there are a few ways citizens can directly affect what the CCSD does. They are all cumbersome and can be costly, but if a majority of the voters want to they can change the direction of an elected board. We are currently in the midst of another Prop 218 process. This process allows ratepayers to protest a proposed change in rates for water or wastewater. Provided for in the California Constitution, silence means consent, which makes defeating an increase very difficult. This direct voice is only available when rates or taxes are being changed.

There are a few other ways to make sure your voice is heard. One of the best known is a recall – recently utilized against the Los Osos CSD and the Governor of California several years back. The process for a recall means gathering the required number of signatures to get the question on the ballot and having candidates to step into office if the incumbents are voted out. Recalls may not be held withing 6 months of the end of the term of the official to be recalled and consolidating a recall with a regularly held election saves the community a lot of money.

We can also have a direct voice over the Board through the initiative and referendum processes. Like the recall, before it’s put to a vote, the language must be approved and finalized and a minimum number of signatures is required. As I understand them, a referendum can rescind some previous action or resolution of the Board and an initiative protect ourselves from certain future actions. (Some examples of actual ballot measures can be found at the end of this article.) Like recall, planning a measure to coincide with a regular general election is encouraged and can save significant costs associated with a special election. As far as I know, no one in Cambria has yet taken the steps required to have a measure put on the ballot or a recall in the fall.

The three rights above are described rather clearly in the Government Code §61046:

61046. (a) Ordinances may be passed by the voters by initiative pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 9300) of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Elections Code.
(b) Legislative acts may be disapproved by the voters by referendum pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 9340) of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Elections Code.
(c) Members of the board of directors may be recalled by the voters pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 11000) of Division 11 of the Elections Code.

Ok, maybe “clear” was too strong a word. I fear I’m getting too familiar with the jargon and convoluted nature of the language of law. Yikes!

Next fall, this community will have to vote for three Board members. The last election was uncontested. We must not allow this apathy or ambivalence maintain the momentum of the status quo. There are many qualified Cambrians – as seen when the five candidates were interviewed for the position that opened when Director Villeneuve retired. (Read about the interviews here.) The pay isn’t much at only $100 per meeting, $600.00 month maximum, but you aren’t in it for the money, are you? To run for a CCSD position, you must be over 18 and live full-time in Cambria. If you meet those qualifications and sign up with the county registrar between July 14 and August 8, your name will appear on the ballot. The top three vote-getters serve in the position for a four-year term. Who will we have to choose from? Let’s make sure we’re not left with the fools too dim-witted to not take a step “back”, if you know what I mean.

Some examples from other communities

EL DORADO 3/8/2005 Measure C Pass (2/3 required)

To construct and equip Cameron Park recreational community center, including meeting/classrooms, a youth activity area, facilities for senior meals and programs, recreational and competition pools,gym, exercise/dance room, assembly hall with a theater and stage for community productions, shall Cameron Park Community Services District issue $8,500,000 of bonds at legal rates and appoint a Citizens’ Oversight Committee to maintain financial accountability, prevent waste and ensure that no bond money is used for operating expenses?

March, 2000

Measure A Advisory vote only on Diablo Canyon Lands — San Luis Obispo County

58264 / 74.66% Yes votes
19778 / 25.34% No votes

November 2000

Measure M. Land Use Voter Approval Requirement — San Luis Obispo County

43264 / 40.95% Yes votes
62383 / 59.05% No votes

Shall an ordinance be adopted requiring a vote of the people for changes to the San Luis Obispo County General Plan policies and land use designations regarding “Open Space,” “Agriculture,” “Residential Rural,” and “Rural Lands” in the unincorporated areas of the county?

June 2006

Measure F06. Assessment Increase — Cambria Community Healthcare District
1886 / 64.19% Yes votes …… 1052 / 35.81% No votes

Shall an assessment increase from $7 to $25 be imposed by the Cambria Community Healthcare District per unimproved parcel per year and from $20 to $85 per improved parcel per year, on all real property (except that of federal, state, or local governmental agency) within the boundaries of said Healthcare District, for the purpose of upgrading general district operations and increase paramedic staffing within said boundaries?

Measure A-02. Tobacco Litigation Settlement Monies Allocation — San Luis Obispo County

33738 / 62.2% Yes votes
20511 / 37.8% No votes

Shall the ordinance annually allocating 1998 tobacco litigation Settlement Monies As Follows: Funding Physicians Performing Emergency Room Services (23%), Funding Health Care Clinics (20%), Funding Services for Seniors and Disabled (19%), Funding Preventive Health Grants (15%), Funding Tobacco Prevention/Control Programs (12%), Funding Hospitals for Emergency Charity Care and Bad Debts (6%), and funding Sheriff’s public safety programs (5%); and requiring maintenance of other County spending on such categories at 1999-2000 Levels, Be Adopted?

Shall the County Board of Supervisors recognize the Diablo Canyon Lands as an exceptionally precious coastal resource by adopting policies that promote habitat preservation, sustainable agricultural activities, and public use and enjoyment consistent with public safety and property rights once the lands are no longer needed as an emergency buffer for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant after its remaining operating life?

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Recently, aboutcambria.com wrote about a CCSD advertisement that appeared in this week’s Cambrian. What made the CCSD ad seem even more out of place was the ad on page 7, clearly labeled as a “paid political advertisement” asking Cambrians to protest the rates proposed by the CCSD. A group of Cambrians who are very concerned about how the CCSD has been run paid for this ad to share information with the rest of Cambria they think is important.

The Cambrians for Fiscal Responsibility formed recently to organize another campaign to protest the rates, a right protected by the California Constitution. Here’s their ad, in case you haven’t yet seen the paper:

There are several things that make this an effective message. The group bought a large ad, but not a full page. This size ad is difficult to miss…a full page would just be a waste of money. The contrast between the CCSD’s slick ad (a full page on page 2) and the straightforward, text only ad makes the CCSD’s ad seem even more contrived and manipulative. The CFR seems to have done their homework. They included the proposal that the previous citizen’s group had offered the CCSD as a solution and highlight the resons they think the rates should be protested. Though their bias is clear (as should be expected in a political ad) they don’t attack anyone personally or use other lower level attacks. They use facts to support their counterargument and make it clear what they are asking people to do and why.

I am not a member of the CFR and these are just my opinions. It seems to me, the question I think the CFR is asking Cambrians to answer is: Do you support the way the CCSD is doing business? Do you trust them with your money? If the answer to either question is no, the CFR thinks you should protest the new rates. (Anyone in CFR is welcome to correct or clarify these assumptions if they are wrong.)

The CCSD is still not showing much desire to build trust or consensus or any kind collaboration with people who may not agree with everything they do. Another missed opportunity to bring the community together has passed us by. But “The Public” is not going away. The watchdogs are on duty and the CCSD will have to expect to be held more accountable to the community.

The successful protest last fall did indeed make a difference in the actions of the CCSD, not all of them advantages for the average Cambrian. A majority of the ratepayers disagreed with the last increase and the CCSD was forced to go back to the drawing board and make changes. Will Cambria once again refuse to allow the CCSD to raise the rates? This remains to be seen. I’m hoping to have a protest form here on AboutCambria.com for ratepayers to download. Keep your eyes here.

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