LAFCO says Russian River Flood Control annexation of Redwood Valley County Water District incomplete pending tax-share agreement and CEQA findings

Staff told the commission that the Russian River Flood Control District has submitted a full application seeking annexation of the Redwood Valley County Water District, but that the application remains incomplete until tax-share agreements are adopted by both the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors and the flood control district board.

"The application will remain incomplete until the tax share agreement is adopted by both the Board of Supervisors and the Russian River Flood Control District Board," staff said. As part of the application process, LAFCO staff noted the commission previously commented on a negative declaration as a responsible agency and that CEQA findings will be returned to the commission during the public-hearing phase of the application.

Staff also reported Anderson Valley CSD and Elk CSD applications remain on hold pending tax-share agreements, and that administrative work continues on municipal-service reviews for the city of Willits and the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District; a Point Arena administrative draft MSR is under internal review at that city.

Why it matters: The tax-share agreement is a required fiscal step before LAFCO may complete the annexation hearing. LAFCO's review of the applicant's CEQA document will be part of the public hearing for the application.

What happens next: Staff has routed the application to county and city offices to initiate the tax-share process and will return to the commission with CEQA findings and a public-hearing timeline once the application is complete.