Going Independent CALAFCO Annual Conference September 6, 2006 Paul Hood, Executive Officer San Luis Obispo LAFCO

Transition Steps San Luis Obispo LAFCO became independent of the County on July 1, San Luis Obispo LAFCO became independent of the County on July 1, The process of becoming independent is one that may be of interest to other LAFCO’s who may decide to embark on this journey The process of becoming independent is one that may be of interest to other LAFCO’s who may decide to embark on this journey

Commission Direction SLO LAFCO closely followed the work of the Commission on Local Governance for the 21 st Century prior to the introduction of AB 2838 SLO LAFCO closely followed the work of the Commission on Local Governance for the 21 st Century prior to the introduction of AB 2838 SLO LAFCO’s Chairman and Staff provided testimony CLG 21 st C in Santa Barbara. SLO LAFCO’s Chairman and Staff provided testimony CLG 21 st C in Santa Barbara. Several year’s earlier, the Commission held a workshop on becoming independent. Several year’s earlier, the Commission held a workshop on becoming independent. As a result, the Commission named its own Executive Officer rather than have CAO appoint a Deputy EO As a result, the Commission named its own Executive Officer rather than have CAO appoint a Deputy EO

Advantages of Going Independent Commission is an autonomous decision making body charged with implementing CKH Commission is an autonomous decision making body charged with implementing CKH Being staffed by the County gives the perception of bias Being staffed by the County gives the perception of bias Independent LAFCO is more objective and less influenced by the County Independent LAFCO is more objective and less influenced by the County Staff acts independently and serves the Commission Staff acts independently and serves the Commission No Countywide Overhead No Countywide Overhead LAFCO should be viewed as an independent mediator across jurisdictional issues LAFCO should be viewed as an independent mediator across jurisdictional issues

Laying the Groundwork Staff received direction from the Commission to Develop independent budget. Staff received direction from the Commission to Develop independent budget. LAFCO staff attended the monthly meeting of City and County administrators after CKH was signed in September 2000 to discuss implementation. Group discussed new LAFCO funding formula. LAFCO staff attended the monthly meeting of City and County administrators after CKH was signed in September 2000 to discuss implementation. Group discussed new LAFCO funding formula. Working Group made up of three city managers, three special district managers, the CAO, County Auditor and County Counsel met beginning in December 2000 to discuss implementation of AB Working Group made up of three city managers, three special district managers, the CAO, County Auditor and County Counsel met beginning in December 2000 to discuss implementation of AB 2838.

Developing LAFCO Budget Staff presented the preliminary LAFCO budget in January Copies of the budget were sent to all cities, special districts and the County Staff presented the preliminary LAFCO budget in January Copies of the budget were sent to all cities, special districts and the County The Commission directed that staff return in February with two scenarios, one using County staff and one using independent staff The Commission directed that staff return in February with two scenarios, one using County staff and one using independent staff They also directed staff to return with a restructuring of the Commission’s fee schedule They also directed staff to return with a restructuring of the Commission’s fee schedule

Developing LAFCO Budget In February, 2001, the Commission approved the independent three staff option: In February, 2001, the Commission approved the independent three staff option: Executive Officer Executive Officer LAFCO Analyst LAFCO Analyst Commission Clerk. Commission Clerk. It included a goal that 50% of the budget come from fees. It included a goal that 50% of the budget come from fees. In March, 2001, the Commission approved the Executive Officer’s employment contract and the Budget with a number of budget assumptions. In March, 2001, the Commission approved the Executive Officer’s employment contract and the Budget with a number of budget assumptions.

Use of County Auditor to Process Bill Payments - Contract Use of County Auditor to Process Bill Payments - Contract Use County Phone System/Copy Center/ Twice Weekly Mail Pickup Use County Phone System/Copy Center/ Twice Weekly Mail Pickup Include Consultant fees - $25,000 Include Consultant fees - $25,000 Rent Private Office Space - $25,000 – could not find ideal space in 3 month implementation (1,000 sq ft) – space we rented was 1,440 sq gross. Now up to $2.00. Beware of triple net. Within 3 blocks of Courthouse Rent Private Office Space - $25,000 – could not find ideal space in 3 month implementation (1,000 sq ft) – space we rented was 1,440 sq gross. Now up to $2.00. Beware of triple net. Within 3 blocks of Courthouse Independent Budget Assumptions

Budget Assumptions (Cont’d) Initially Contracted with County Counsel for legal advise. Now Contract with Private Attorney Initially Contracted with County Counsel for legal advise. Now Contract with Private Attorney Insurance billing $2,500 budgeted, $8,000 Actual – Contract with SDRMA Insurance billing $2,500 budgeted, $8,000 Actual – Contract with SDRMA Data processing support – zero budgeted, $5,000 Actual – Now use Private Firm for Computer Support Data processing support – zero budgeted, $5,000 Actual – Now use Private Firm for Computer Support Internet Service and Website Hosting Internet Service and Website Hosting

Budget Assumptions (Cont’d) Private Janitorial Firm Private Janitorial Firm One time expenditures $40,500 – furniture, computers, copying machine and repayment of a County loan ($5,000) One time expenditures $40,500 – furniture, computers, copying machine and repayment of a County loan ($5,000) Contract with County Pension Trust (1937 Act) – Required Legislation Contract with County Pension Trust (1937 Act) – Required Legislation

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