Mariposa County LAFCO votes to withdraw from statewide CALAFCO membership

Mariposa County Local Agency Formation Commission voted to withdraw from the California Association of LAFCOs (CALAFCO) after commissioners questioned the statewide group's recent organizational issues and weighed the local benefits and costs.

Steve Inkfer, planning director and LAFCO executive officer, summarized CALAFCO’s recent reorganization work and outreach, including a consultant-led SWOT analysis and a six- to nine-month action plan intended to address concerns about transparency and governance. "Staff is seeking direction from the commission as to whether or not to continue to participate at this time," Inkfer said.

The commission discussed options including formal withdrawal, delaying a decision and inviting a CALAFCO representative to a future meeting, or maintaining membership. Inkfer reported that CALAFCO recently identified legislative priorities and a LAFCO University training series. He also told commissioners that the 2025–26 budget contains $5,148 in a reserve that could cover membership renewal and that the recorded renewal cost in the packet was $14.98 for the year.

Commissioners raised three recurring points: several counties had indicated they would not renew, one county had submitted a formal withdrawal notice, and CALAFCO has taken steps to rebuild trust and restore services. Commissioner Smallcomb said she had spoken with the former CALAFCO executive officer and noted the fiscal-year timing for CALAFCO budgeting. "If there's no further discussion, I will move that we withdraw from CALAFCO," Commissioner Smallcomb said. Commissioner Toso seconded the motion by saying, "I'll second the motion." The chair called for a voice vote; the motion passed by voice vote with the chair stating, "All in favor."

Following the vote, staff agreed to prepare a draft withdrawal letter for the chair and commissioners to sign and send to CALAFCO. Inkfer noted that CALAFCO staff had offered to attend a meeting to answer questions if the commission preferred more information before deciding.

Commissioners also considered the option of nonrenewal without a formal letter; Inkfer said nonrenewal would functionally affect county budgeting the same way but that CALAFCO staff requested formal notification to confirm membership status. The commission discussed that Mariposa County has limited LAFCO-specific activity compared with larger counties and that upcoming local staff and commissioner transitions could influence whether continued membership would yield training benefits.

The commission then moved on to other agenda items, including administrative approval procedures for minutes from a prior meeting. Clerk of the board staff will draft the withdrawal letter and circulate it to the commission for signature as directed.

The decision is procedural and administrative: the commission voted to withdraw from CALAFCO and directed staff to prepare and circulate a withdrawal letter; no additional policy action or funding change beyond preparing and sending the letter was recorded at the meeting.