Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and confirm appointments of existing and new advisory committee members to fill vacancies on Zone of Benefit Advisory Committees in County Service Areas 2 and 9 as outlined in Exhibit A, Zone of Benefit Advisory Committee Updates for Fiscal Year 2020-21.
FUNDING: County Service Area 2 and 9 Zone of Benefit Special Taxes and Assessments.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On February 18, 1963 by Resolution 35-63, the Board formed County Service Area (CSA) 2 to provide road improvements and public road drainage improvements within its boundaries. Additional territory was annexed to CSA 2 on June 15, 1971 by Resolution 273-71.
On February 20, 1979 by Ordinance 1979, two (2) zones were established as Zone A (Arrowbee) and Zone B (Hidden Lake).
One April 7, 1983 by Resolution L-83-12, the El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission formed CSA 9. By Resolution 146-83, the Board authorized multiple services to be provided, including road improvement and maintenance services, drainage maintenance services, and public cemetery services. Beginning in 1983 and continuing thereafter, multiple zones of benefit were formed to provide funding for specific services. For 31 of those zones of benefit, advisory committees were established by the Board.
On March 12, 1985, the Board adopted the Policy and Procedure Guidelines for Creation and Administration of Zones of Benefit within a County Service Area (Guidelines) to establish criteria for creating, operating, and maintaining zones of benefit, including providing for the appointment, term, and purpose of Zone Advisory Committees.
The Guidelines provide that an advisory committee for each road zone may be appointed to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The purpose of the advisory committee is to meet periodically with property owners and residents within the zone of benefit to identify unmet service needs, evaluate the adequacy of the services provided, compile the annual budget for recommendation to the Board, and provide recommendations regarding other matters pertaining to the business of the zone of benefit. There are currently 33 advisory committees for zones of benefit within the County: two (2) in CSA No. 2 and thirty-one (31) in CSA No. 9.
During the annual Zone of Benefit Orientation hosted on December 11, 2019 by the Department of Transportation (Transportation), a request for updates to zone committee membership was made. Transportation discussed the committee membership process during the presentation at the orientation workshop. The 2020 vacancies were posted on the Zone of Benefit website for maximum awareness of opportunities within the zones. Zone recommended changes were also posted to the Zone of Benefit website (www.edcgov.us/Government/dot/Pages/Zones-of-Benefit.aspx <http://www.edcgov.us/Government/dot/Pages/Zones-of-Benefit.aspx>). A link to the Zone of Benefit website is also found in the “County Resources” area on the front page of the El Dorado County website at <https://www.edcgov.us/>. The Zone of Benefit website includes guidelines that cover the zone committee membership process and encourages participation. Property tax billings also provide Transportation’s main phone number so residents can inquire about the special tax or assessment on their bill. Transportation provides residents with additional information regarding the zones of benefit and directs residents to the website for more information.
Each advisory committee is required to meet at least four (4) times per year. One of the meetings is a general meeting of all property owners and residents. Since the inception of the zone of benefit program, the advisory committees have made recommendations to the Board regarding changes to the advisory committee membership based on consensus of the property owners and residents in attendance at the general meeting. The property owners and residents determine the number of participants to recommend the Board for appointment, which may vary from zone to zone, and from year to year.
Advisory committee participants are subject to the requirements for ethics training for local officials under Government Code Section 53235. All advisory committee meetings are subject to compliance with California’s Open Meeting Laws and County ordinance code related to public meetings.
With the submission of their recommended budgets and work plans for Fiscal Year 2020-21, advisory committees recommended the changes to the advisory committees, as shown within Exhibit A, Zone of Benefit Advisory Committee Updates for FY 2020-21.
Following the appointments, the Transportation Zone of Benefit Program staff orients appointees regarding their roles and responsibilities, policies and regulations applicable to zone of benefit activities, provide access to the El Dorado County Zone of Benefit Advisory Committee Manual, and the AB 1234 Ethics Training for Local Officials.
The committee participants have been recommended to serve in these roles by the residents and property owners within each zone and volunteer to serve in this capacity. The advisory committee participants play vital roles in the expenditure of special taxes or assessments for delivery of public services in each zone, including road maintenance and improvements, drainage facility maintenance, landscaping and wetland related services, and cemetery maintenance services. The participants also act as liaisons between zone residents, property owners, and the County.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may determine not to make the recommended changes to the advisory committees and Transportation would make changes to return to the Board at a later date.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The most recent advisory committee changes for CSA 2 and 9 advisory committees was presented by Transportation on November 19, 2019, Item 23, Legistar 19-1639.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The minimal cost of training and communicating with the advisory committee participants is budgeted for each zone through the allocation of direct program costs and paid from zone special taxes and assessments. There is no impact to the General Fund or to the Road Fund.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
The Clerk of the Board will receive and file the roster of the FY 2020-21 advisory committee participants.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation