CLEARLAKE >> The Lake Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) continued a public hearing regarding a municipal service review (MSR) or the Lake County Watershed Protection District (LCWPD) Wednesday.
An MSR is comprehensive study of services required by the state. Compiled by LAFCO, the report is nearly complete after almost two years.
“The review is to be used as a tool to the district to address future service needs,” LAFCO Executive Officer John Benoit said.
The Watershed Protection District Service Review Committee worked in conjunction with LAFCO to prepare written determinations regarding six topics, which include growth and population projections, financial ability to provide services, accountability for community service needs, location and characteristics of disadvantaged unincorporated communities, infrastructure needs or deficiencies and the status of shared facilities.
Regarding infrastructure needs or deficiencies, the review stated that “the district appears to have minimally adequate capacity to handle present demand for services.”
However, “the district is providing adequate services given financial constraints,” the MSR stated.
The revenues and expenditure for the LCWPD total $1,934,141, according to the MSR.
“Additional infrastructure needs include water supply modifications at the Highland Springs Reservoir and controlled boat ramps,” the review continued.
The MSR also determined that the district budget should be “summarized in the county budget for ease of public understanding.”
“The scope of services (offered by the Watershed Protection District) are generally unclear to the public,” Benoit said.
Services include flood control and floodplain management; stormwater management; groundwater management; water quality protection and water supply management; lakebed management and shoreline protection and watershed stewardship, the review stated.
Additionally, LAFCO and the committee recommended that the Lake County Board of Supervisors should consider conducting budgets and audits of the LCWPD finances separate from other county departments to improve transparency and accountability to the public.
According to the MSR, the “LCWPD has developed six principal and distinct service activities with respect to water conservation and flood control.”
Members of the Watershed Protection District Service Review Committee, which included Mike Dunlap, Suzanne Lyons, Betsy Cawn, Maurice Taylor and LAFCO Chair Ed Robey, gave feedback regarding determinations presented in the MSR.
Lake County Deputy Administrative Officer Alan Flora read a letter from Administrative Officer Matt Perry explaining the relationship between the LCWPD and the water resources department.
“The water resources department manages two types of programs: those that are the responsibility of the district and those that are the responsibility of the county,” Flora said.
Programs that are the responsibility of the district include lakebed management.
Additionally, the responsibility to manage Clear Lake was delegatived to the county in 1973, by chapter 639 of the statutes.
A copy of the MSR is available at www.lakelafco.org.
A final draft of the report will be reviewed during a public hearing at the Nov. 19 meeting.
