Who discussed forming a Community Services District

In an interview with Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) Chief Mark LaMont last week, he further clarified, beginning at the crowded Idyllwild Water District (IWD) meetings in mid-January, why he is interested in a Community Services District (CSD).

“When we attended those meetings at the IWD, I started to opine that a CSD may be a benefit to the residents of Idyllwild and opened the dialog with [General Manager Victor] Jimenez of [Fern Valley Water District (FVWD)], who was also present. After that dialog was opened, at a second meeting of the IWD, I mentioned this to [IWD Director] Steve Olson. He thought that idea might be something they’d be interested in discussing, and I made a phone call to our legal counsel who has worked with creating CSDs before, and queried him as to the benefits and process.

“I then facilitated a meeting between IWD, IFPD and FV water with our legal counsel, who explained the intricate nuances of a CSD, and its possible benefits to the community of Idyllwild. Very preliminary discussions regarding the possibility of a CSD.

“I did say that until Idyllwild hires a GM, these discussions have to be incredibly preliminary. In this discussion were myself, our board President [Dan] Messina and Commissioner [Stephanie] Yost, FV GM Jimenez, FV President Jon Brown, IWD board member Steve Olson and President Charles Schelly, and our legal counsel Steven Graham.”

According to California code establishing a CSD, “Between 1955 and 2005, the voters in more than 300 communities have formed community services districts to achieve local governance, provide needed public facilities, and supply public services.

Also, according to the legislature, a CSD is “[a]n effective form of governance for combining two or more special districts that serve overlapping or adjacent territory into a multifunction special district.”

And, “[a] form of governance that can serve as an alternative to the incorporation of a new city.”