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Mendocino LAFCO adopts Russian River Flood Control district MSR; no SOI change recommended
Summary
The commission adopted the municipal service review and sphere update for the Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District on May 5, 2025, finding existing water services adequate and recommending no change to the sphere of influence. Staff said the district holds rights to 7,940 acre-feet from Lake Mendocino.
The Mendocino County Local Agency Formation Commission on May 5 adopted the municipal service review and sphere of influence update for the Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District, concluding the district has adequate water services and recommending no change to its sphere.
The presentation, given by the LAFCO analyst, described the district as licensed under special legislation in 1955 to act as local sponsor for the development of Coyote Dam and Lake Mendocino in partnership with Sonoma Water. The district covers roughly 51,000 acres and serves a mix of contractors, including about 52 agricultural customers and seven municipal water customers. The staff report noted the district holds rights to 7,940 acre-feet of water annually from Lake Mendocino.
Analyst presentation materials said the proposed boundary change to annex the remainder of the Redwood Valley County Water District—so that Redwood Valley could enter a direct contract with Russian River—will come before the commission in the coming months; staff recommended no change to the district’s existing sphere at this time because the proposed annexation area already lies within the current sphere.
During questions, commissioners asked about salaries, contractors and pension participation. Beth Salomon, general manager of the Russian River district and available by Zoom, answered commissioners’ questions about staffing and rates. When asked how many employees the district had, Salomon replied, “Just me. Just 1.” She also explained why the district is not required to follow Proposition 218 rate-setting requirements, saying the district operates under individual contracts with its water customers that allow the board to set rates annually.
The staff report characterizes the MSR and SOI update as exempt from CEQA and includes a Notice of Exemption in the packet. Commissioners moved and seconded the staff recommendation and approved the resolution adopting the MSR and SOI update by unanimous roll call.
Staff thanked Beth Salomon and the district’s ad hoc committee for assistance in preparing the study. No public testimony was received on this item.
