HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-2,LAFCo-Responsibilities of a CommissionerAttachment 2
Responsibilities of a LAFCo Commissioner
What is LAFCo?
The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) is an independent public agency
with authority over local government agency changes of organization —that is,
annexations, detachments, and consolidations of cities or districts, formation and
dissolution of Special Districts, and incorporation and disincorporation of cities.
Additionally, LAFCo is responsible for adopting a Sphere of Influence for each agency in
the county. The Sphere of Influence is a plan for an agency's probable future boundaries
and should represent a logical growth plan for the agency.
LAFCo's Composition
The Commission is composed of two Special District Members (elected by the Indepen-
dent Special Districts); two County Members (appointed by the Board of Supervisors);
two City Members (appointed by the City Selection Committee); and a Public Member
(appointed by the other LAFCo Commissioners). In addition, each category has an
Alternate Member who votes in the absence of one of the members of that category.
Alternate Members attend all meetings and participate in discussion.
The Commissioner's Role
LAFCo Commissioners approve or deny proposals for changes in organization based on
the procedures and standards of the Cortese -Knox -Hertzberg Local Government Reor-
ganization Act of 2000 (Government Code Sections 56000 et seq.). Additionally, LAFCo
is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, as are all public agencies.
LAFCo Commissioners are required to file an annual Statement of Economic Interest,
Form 700, as prescribed by the Fair Political Practices Commission, and to observe the
LAFCo Conflict of Interest Code.
Commissioners, including alternates, are also required to complete two hours of ethics
training in compliance with AB 1234 within one year of their election (County, City, and
District members) or appointment (Public members) and every two years thereafter.
LAFCo Meetings
The Commission usually meets at 9:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month in
Nevada City; meetings are occasionally held elsewhere and at other times.
Commissioners are expected to attend all meetings and participate in the deliberation
process. LAFCo also has an appointed staff to coordinate meeting logistics and to
research and make recommendations on proposals before the Commission.