Consider and adopt the LAFCo Annual Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2023/24

Consider and adopt the LAFCo Annual Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2023/24.

The cost for undertaking the FY Annual Work Plan will be incorporated into LAFCo's FY budget.

This information is provided to the Commission in order to obtain feedback and direction on work priorities for the upcoming fiscal year (FY). Staff work plan recommendations are included in the draft budget and any changes to implement Commission direction can be factored into the final budget, which will be presented at the May 25, 2023 meeting.

The Work Management Plan for the upcoming fiscal year is listed below. Please provide staff with any direction as desired. 

MSR/SOI Updates and Joint Powers Agency (JPA) Service Reviews for FY 2023/24
Staff has reorganized the attached update schedule to group MSR/SOIs more by the municipal service provided, which is often provided by different types of local agencies. Periodic service reviews are intended to comprehensively study each municipal service judged important to future growth provided by counties, cities and special districts to broadly review the adequacy and future needs for various municipal services, and consider government efficiencies via consolidation and/or reorganization. 

Staff recommends the MSR/SOI for the flood protection and drainage agencies be conducted next fiscal year, which includes the 13 agencies listed below. There are 5 additional districts that also provide flood protection or drainage services in Yolo County (shown in Attachment A) that will be discussed in the MSR/SOI but not reviewed comprehensively because most of each district's territory is located within Colusa or Solano County, and therefore Yolo LAFCo is not its "home" LAFCo. 

• Knights Landing Ridge Drainage District
• Snowball County Service Area
• Reclamation District 150
• Reclamation District 307
• Reclamation District 537
• Reclamation District 730
• Reclamation District 765
• Reclamation District 787
• Reclamation District 900
• Reclamation District 999
• Reclamation District 1600
• Reclamation District 2035
• West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency ("West SAFCA") JPA

It's been five years since the last review of these agencies in 2018, and the Yolo County Grand Jury is watching this schedule for the flood protection districts in particular since it recommended review in three years instead of the required five years, after the controversial reorganization of RD 900. Review of the cemetery districts is overdue, but staff is not as concerned about this municipal service and recommends it can be completed the following fiscal year. 

Proposal Applications
No applications are currently in process and those listed below are anticipated in FY 2023/24:

City of Woodland:

• Woodland Research and Technology Park annexation (NE corner of SR 113/CR 25A)
• Barnard Court annexation (SE corner of I-5/West Street) and other City-owned properties
• Woodland Commerce Center annexation (in the industrial area)

Yolo County:

• Reorganization of the Elkhorn, No Man's Land and Springlake FPDs, and County Service Area 9

Agency Accountability
The website transparency scorecard review and reporting process is completed towards the end of each calendar year. Agency scoring occurs in the last quarter of the calendar year (i.e. October - December), and a report will be presented to LAFCo in January 2024. Staff is continuing to reach out and support independent special districts that do not already have a website, promoting resources and scholarships available. State law requires all independent special districts to maintain a website or adopt a resolution stating a hardship each year. The following agencies are included in the scorecard (70 agencies in total):

• Cities/County (5)
• Special Districts (47)
• Joint Powers Authorities (18 local)

Other Shared Services/Collaboration Items
Other shared services and/or collaborative activities include:

• There is potential interest/need from the separate agencies that provide municipal water service in the rural areas (i.e. Esparto, Madison, Cacheville, and Knights Landing Community Service Districts, and Wild Wings County Service Area) to share more services, potentially connect several of the water systems, and maybe even consolidate some or all of the agencies long term. LAFCo staff may be requested to facilitate any preliminary conversations in advance of the next MSR scheduled for FY 25/26. 
• YED-Talks - These events typically occur two times per year and coordination includes working with the planning team (to develop topics, agendas, lining up speakers, etc.) and managing the actual event. Staff will work with the planning committee to determine if these events should resume in-person or remain virtual.
• Attend County-city 2x2 meetings whenever agenda items are applicable to LAFCo
• Facilitate broadband coordination as needed 

LAFCo Administration

• Manage expenses and the FY budget, and prepare the next FY's budget
• Provide the Commission and the public with quarterly financial reports