LAFCO RESPONSIBILITIES SPHERES OF INFLUENCE & MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEWS
Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act Spheres and Service Reviews What is a Sphere & MSR? Sphere of Influence: Plan for the physical boundaries and service area of individual local agencies. Municipal Service Review: Service study used to prepare and update a sphere -- based on a geographic region; the services provided within the region, and the agencies that provide the identified service.
Municipal Service Review Sphere of Influence Legislative Intent Service reviews are intended to provide a regional perspective to deal with California’s growth issues and the need to provide the highest quality services. Spheres are designed to be agency-specific versus the regional perspective of MSRs. When service reviews and spheres are linked to each other, they can foster efficiencies & identify ways to eliminate waste and improve public service provision.
Municipal Service Review Purpose Service reviews & Spheres are designed to fulfill LAFCO’s intrinsic mission by: Promoting orderly development Discouraging sprawl Preserving open space Encouraging efficient service extension Providing housing for all incomes
Spheres and MSRs LAFCO’s initiatory authority LAFCO may initiate sphere changes, amendments, updates, MSR studies,etc. LAFCO may initiate a consolidation, dissolution, merger, subsidiary district, formation, or a reorganization including these changes of organization, consistent with MSR, Sphere, or Special Study.
Sphere and Municipal Service Review Chicken or Egg? Service reviews are prepared in conjunction with spheres…however, service reviews can be conducted before a sphere is established or updated...
Sphere & Municipal Service Review Determinations Keeping Documents Current Determinations may be used by LAFCO, other agencies, and the public to better understand & improve service delivery. Determinations may not have immediate value, however, keeping determinations current enhances future value. Every five years after 2008, each LAFCO must, as necessary, review and update spheres.
Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act