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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-18 Board • SPECIAL DISTRICT POSITION REGARDING EVALUATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPABILITY IN TRUCKEE When the group called Planning for Tomorrow in Truckee (PTT) defined its recommendations for incorporation of the town government, it conducted a survey of citizen satisfaction with Truckee's special districts and found that the districts were providing a high level of service and meeting the expectations of the Truckee community. As a result, the town incorporation measure was presented to the voters without consolidation and was approved on that basis. Recently the town prepared a draft sphere of influence document in which it discussed consolidation of special districts into town governmental departments. The special districts raised concerns regarding the document and after discussion with town staff, the town concurred and removed that element from their draft report. However, without special district consultation, LAFCo staff reinserted the discussion of consolidation in its review of the town's draft report. In March, the town reconfirmed its position that the consolidation issue should not be merged into its sphere of influence report and would best be studied in the future. As a result, the discussion of economy and efficiency in Truckee's system of local government is again a topic of discussion in the Sierra Sun and at Nevada County LAFCo. Much has been assumed about the opinion of the special districts on this important matter. In an effort to make their position clear, the boards of directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District, Truckee • Fire Protection District, Truckee Sanitary District and Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District met on March 18, 199T At that meeting, the TDPUD Board agreed to adopt the following statement as an expression of its opinion. 1. TDPUD agrees with the motion of the Town of Truckee that the issue of consolidation should be removed from the town's sphere of influence report. We believe that the discussion of economy and efficiency in Truckee's system of local governance is far too important to be merged in a sphere of influence report. 2. The Truckee special districts have a long history and tradition of providing service in the community. They are effective providers and have a highly dedicated core group of employees and volunteers. Currently, services are being provided and the risk of disturbing these services should not be taken lightly. 3. The Town of Truckee is a new service provider which may need more time to deal with the many issues already on its agenda such as road maintenance, snow removal, flood damage, railroad merger, general plan, downtown specific plan and public safety before it is reasonable for it to undertake the services already being successfully provided by special districts. 4. Now is not the proper time and the sphere of influence is not the proper vehicle to comprehensively consider how key community services will be provided. At the appropriate time it would be reasonable to consider a comprehensive evaluation of the structure, • function, efficiency, effectiveness and viability of Truckee's local governance and the services these entities provide. Such an evaluation should look at the needs of the community and how well both the town government and special districts have met the needs and expectations of the Truckee community since their creation. in addition, the relative abilities of these entities to continue to provide such services should be considered. The town incorporated and the special districts were formed with certain goals and expectations in mind. The evaluation should determine whether these goals and expectations have been met and function as a report card which can inform the electorate (a) whether the town should continue as an incorporated entity; (b) whether, and which, special districts should continue to provide services; (c) whether any combination of districts should be consolidated into the town. Any evaluation of Truckee local governance should look at the efficient expenditure of local funds, the best way to involve citizens in grass roots democratic local government and effective and responsive provision of services to meet the expectations of the Truckee community. 5. After a full and unbiased evaluation, the final decision should be made by all affected voters. Specific Actions 1. The special districts should write letters to LAFCo supporting the town's recommendation that consolidation be removed from the sphere of influence process. 2. The management staffs of the districts and town currently meet on a regular basis to discuss issues of common interest. This process should be expanded to include joint action where such is feasible and would result in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of all. 3. The body of research that concludes that multiple local governmental agencies working together is the most efficient and effective structure for the provision and production of local government services should be widely distributed and dialogue encouraged. Citizen awareness is a key element in good government. 4. At the appropriate time the evaluation of local services and government should be jointly initiated by the special districts and Town of Truckee and kept free of outside influence and bias. 5. That any action, discussion or information gathering by LAFCo on any of the above items, including but not limited to manager's reports, occur at properly noticed meetings held in Truckee with the topic itemized on the agenda. PLH7smc Apr97 DonnerTruckee Public UtilityDistrict 3.a1d of Directors Josepr,R. Aguera J. Ronald Nemig Business Office (916) 587-3896 FAX(916) 587-5656 Robert A.Jones James A. Maass Patricia S.Sutton REGULAR MEETING General Manager 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 19, 1997 Peter 1. Hoizmelster TDPUD Board Room AMENDED AGENDA 1. Call to order 2. Roll call 3. Public Input - 7:00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible) Any member of the audience desiring to address the Board regarding a matter on the agenda is welcome to do so. Matters not specifically listed on the agenda may be brought up under public input. ACTION ITEMS 4. Consideration of adopting the draft water system master plan 5 Consideration of a request from Sauers Engineering for additional compensation for services related to preparation of the draft water master plan . 6. Glenshire Drive well pump building project: a) Consideration of a close-out change order b) Consideration of a resolution accepting the project as complete and authorizing the filing of the notice of completion 7. Consideration of participating in funding of a radio station to serve the Truckee area WORKSHOP ITEMS 8. Discussion of paint color for the Gateway water storage tank 9. Discussion of use of the McGlashan property as a site for an educational and recreation facility 10. Discussion of an irrigation water rate relating to water served from Southside Well No. 1 11. Monthly staff reports ADJOURNMENT NOTE: The complete packet of material relating to the agenda is available for review at the PUD office and at the Truckee Library ® Posted and ailed on Ml4rch 14, 1997 { t ' Susan M. Craig, Depu#y District Cterk f.% Post Office Box 309 * 11570 Donner Pass Road Truckee, California 96160