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Commissioners say CALAFCO governance, legislative-process concerns prompt statewide review and membership scrutiny
Summary
LAFCO commissioners discussed tensions at the statewide California Association of LAFCOs (CALAFCO) over legislative committee composition and transparency. Several California LAFCOs have signaled they may reevaluate their CALAFCO membership; the CALAFCO board announced a review and promised a January report and further discussion in February.
Commissioners and staff on Jan. 15 discussed recent disputes at the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions (CALAFCO) over governance and the association’s legislative process.
LAFCO Executive Officer Rob Bartoli and several commissioners described letters from San Diego and Orange County LAFCOs—and a notice from San Bernardino LAFCO—raising concerns about member representation on the CALAFCO board, changes to how the legislative committee operates, and perceived gaps in transparency and communication. Bartoli said the CALAFCO board planned to review policy and procedure changes and to return a report by the end of January ahead of a special CALAFCO meeting in early February.
Commissioner Virginia Ching Crowley (elected to the CALAFCO board’s coastal-region seat) described campaigning across the coastal region and said some executive officers have pushed for a larger role in CALAFCO decision-making; she emphasized a need for accountability and clearer process and said she voted against a proposed dues increase until reforms are in place.
Bartoli said several LAFCOs are reconsidering their CALAFCO membership and that the statewide board was exploring options including an advisory committee and reviewing legislative-committee composition. LAFCO staff said they will keep the commission informed of any substantive changes.
