Mendocino LAFCO affirms Westport County Water District sphere, adds one parcel

Mendocino County Local Agency Formation Commission on May 5 adopted the Westport County Water District Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) update, affirming the district’s 2015 SOI and adding a single parcel that already receives district water service.

Analyst Jen Crump summarized the staff recommendation at the public hearing, saying, “This is the public hearing for the Westport County Water District Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Update.” Crump told commissioners the district was formed Jan. 4, 1971, covers about 235 acres in the coastal community of Westport, and provides water service to approximately 72 customers and wastewater service to about 70 customers, with roughly 89 permanent residents and seasonal fluctuations.

The staff report, included in the agenda packet, recommended affirming the existing SOI that is coterminous with the district boundary and adopting a water-service-specific SOI that includes two parcels at Westport Beach RV Park and Campground and one adjacent parcel developed with a single-family residence and already served by district water. Crump said the parcel proposed for inclusion “was previously owned by the campground” and was sold to an individual in 2013; the parcel continued to receive water service after the sale. She said staff recommended including that parcel as a cleanup to make the SOI consistent with on-the-ground services.

Staff advised the commission that the MSR and SOI update are exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and that the Notice of Exemption was in the agenda packet. The staff presentation also acknowledged assistance from Westport County Water District operations manager John Mulrill and Administrator/Financial Controller Kayla Cooper in preparing the study.

Commissioners asked several clarifying questions before the vote. Commissioner Bridal asked about the history of the single-family parcel; Crump provided the sales history and explained why it was not previously included in the SOI. Commissioner Ward asked whether district management had discussed replacement plans for fully depreciated assets; staff said there had not been further discussion since the April workshop and that staff would follow up with the district and report back. Ward also noted a reserve account of about $30,000 listed in the district’s financials and suggested it should be shown separately as restricted reserves.

Commissioner Roden moved the staff recommendations and Commissioner Gonzales seconded. The commission approved the resolution adopting the MSR and SOI update by unanimous roll call vote.

No members of the public provided comments on this item during the hearing. Staff said it received no written public comments before the meeting.