Upcoming LAFCo Meetings
First monday of each month at 9:00 AM
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Chamber, 501 Low Gap Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482
Meetings are also held on zoom, as well as live streamed on the County’s YouTube page
Meeting Summary
MARCH 3, 2025
February 3, 2025
Topics of discussion were the Elk County Water District Municipal Service Review and the Potter Valley Irrigation District Service Review
Commissioners asked for clarifications on various aspects, such as latent powers, fiscal year net position changes, and the status of service areas and annexation considerations for the Elk County Water District (ECWD).
Commissioner Ward raised concerns about consolidating small districts, defining disadvantaged communities (Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities vs. Severely Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities), and whether LAFCo should approach special districts differently in SDUCs.
Commissioner Gonzalez inquired about the ECWD's lack of a reserve policy and whether one would be developed, while other commissioners raised questions on water service definitions, risk assessment, and the ownership of properties outside the district.
Commissioner Gonzalez pointed out broken links on the Potter Valley Irrigation District (PVID) website, and Commissioner Ward requested corrections in the MSR regarding square mileage and further clarification on projected population decline.
Commissioners expressed concerns about the future of water storage, particularly in relation to the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project (PVP), and inquired about the District’s financial planning and strategies for expanding service to additional agricultural customers.
The District has been increasing its contributions to the Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission (MCIWPC) to support post-PVP planning, with ongoing efforts to secure funding for water storage research and development in collaboration with other agencies like Sonoma Water Authority.
January 6, 2025
The January 6, 2025 LAFCo meeting was cancelled.
December 2, 2024
Topic of discussion was amendments to the Indemnification Policies and a review of the Round Valley Water Services District
Amendments to the Indemnification Policies were discussed. Indemnification policies “require the other party to a contract to step in and pay for any liability for loss to a third party and to pay for defense costs in the event of a lawsuit over the substance of the agreement.”
This amendment was in regards to the Anderson Valley Community Services District application. Commissioner Horsley inquired whether the indemnification agreement cover every action made by LAFCo. Counsel Burch responded that the indemnification agreement policy applies to and is mandatory for the application processing.
LAFCo found that that there was no change required to the Round Valley County Water District’s 2016 Sphere of Influence.
There was also discussion as to why LAFCo oversaw the municipal service review of the Round Valley Water Services District since its services included flood and streams control. LAFCo Executive Officer Uma Hinman said that it is because LAFCo is required to review and study all special districts within Mendocino County.
november 4, 2024
Topic of discussion was on the Western Hills Annexation
Western Hills annexation will be 27 assessor parcels, totaling 791 acres.
Purpose of annexation is open space preservation and limited reservation development.
According to the City, they have sufficient capacity to serve the area.
4 registered voters, only takes 1 registered voter out of 12 to not waive protest proceeding or a landowner in the area. They had until the end of the meeting to file protest, none were filed.
Commission voted 5-0 to approve the annexation of the Western Hills into the City of Ukiah’s limits.