Creation of the Mark West Community Services District Takes an Important Step

The Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission (Sonoma LAFCO) considered the formation of the Mark West Community Services District on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 21, 2010.

Several members of the community were in the audience as the proposal was presented and discussed. All of those speaking from the floor were supportive of the formation. Supervisor-Elect McGuire made a special effort to be there and speak on behalf of the proposal. After the discussion, the commissioners voted 7 to 0 in a straw vote to approve the formation and to send it forward for a vote by the community.

The Commission is scheduled to take a formal vote at its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 1, 2010. The final resolution will contain the terms and conditions of the formation and will include the requirement for a budget funded without a new tax.

Once the Commission takes formal action, a “Protest Hearing” must be held by the Commission. That hearing will probably be later in the fall. Once the hearing is successfully completed, the proposal will be sent back to the Board of Supervisors for the calling of an election on district formation. The date of the election will be determined as required by state statute.

If created, the MWCSD would initially become the responsible agency for street lighting in the community. The MWCSD would also be in a position to assume additional services if desired by the community. Supervisor and Commissioner Paul Kelley asked that the MWCSD be given the power to oversee parks and recreation if desired.

The formation of the MWCSD is contingent on a strong and ongoing relationship with the Mark West Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Will Brodt attended the LAFCO meeting and affirmed the commitment to work together. The path to district formation has been long and involved. There have been many individuals involved in the process. However, without the support of retiring Supervisor Paul Kelley the step to LAFCO approval would not have occurred. In the months ahead, it will be critical to have community support to finish the process.

Anyone desiring to be involved can send an email to: mwcsd@markwestcsd.org

The Mark West Area Community Services Committee

The Mark West Area Community Services District
is CLOSE TO BECOMING A REALITY!!

Download this letter as a PDF   Download the Petition   Download the Proposed Boundary Map

The MWCSC’s desire to form a community services district is driven by the desire to provide a mechanism for allowing local participation in certain services. By acting as a liaison for the community and the existing water purveyor, the CSD would be able to participate in the negotiation of rate increases and in the analysis of future water considerations. It is hoped that the local participation will help minimize the cost to ratepayers.

The CSD would also have the power to work with the county administration and school districts to provide more community-based activities and recreation opportunities. It might be possible to utilize existing school facilities to provide classes to the community that are offset by fees to cover the use of the facility, the instructors, and janitorial service. Furthermore, the CSD would work in conjunction with the Mark West Area Chamber of Commerce to inform the community of annual and intermittent community gatherings.

The Mark West area is a small community located between Windsor and Santa Rosa. It is currently the most populated unincorporated area in Sonoma County with a population of over 7,000. The Mark West area is evolving at a fast rate and includes some of Sonoma County’s more prominent features, such as the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts and the future site of Sutter Hospital. While the Mark West area hosts many of these destinations, there is currently not a recognizable central location where the community can gather. It is hoped that the CSD would be able to provide this need for community togetherness and pride.

As a portion of the Fourth Supervisorial District that stretches from Cloverdale to Santa Rosa, only limited attention can be focused on the Mark West area. By creating a CSD in the Mark West area, the residents would have contact with a local agency for assistance with their concerns and issues. By working as a liaison between the local citizens and the County, the CSD will be able to represent the community before the Board of Supervisors.

It is the hope and the goal of the Mark West Community Services District to provide the community with lighting zones and to someday enhance park and recreation and additional law enforcement services. The residents will benefit from the district as it helps to create a central point of contact for emerging issues. Volunteers will soon begin circulating petitions in the Mark West Area.

Our Supervisor, Paul Kelley, will present the petitions to the County Board of Supervisors and ask them to initiate district formation.

We appreciate your help and support.

The Mark West Area Community Services Committee

Cal/Am Rate Case

Good News!!

Today (May 15, 2008) the California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to adopt Commissioner Bohn’s alternate proposal for the Larkfield District which DOES NOT include consolidation with the Sacramento District.

The decision by the Commission today does however, approve the Revenue Requirement contained in the settlement agreement between Cal-Am and DRA, which means that water rates in Larkfield will go up about $25 per month.

As of yet, we have not received any indication as to when we will meet with Cal-Am and DRA to discuss Tiered Rates.

District Formation

Economic & Planning System's Draft Feasibility Study to determine the costs of running the district versus the expected revenue from franchise fees, maintenance contracts, etc. has been submitted to the committee for review and comment. We will meet on May 29, 2008 to draft comments for submittal to the Sonoma County Water Agency.

The final version of the Feasibility Study will be presented to the community at a public meeting hosted by the Sonoma County Water Agency.

Community Outreach

We are seeking volunteers from interested members of the community to join The Community Services District Formation Committee (CSDFC) which will meet periodically with Supervisor Paul Kelly, as well as assist in gathering more community support of the formation of a district.

If you are interested in joining, or you know someone who is, please contact us for more information.