Blogs

Welcome our Newest CSDA Members!

By Morgan Leskody posted 5 days ago
Please welcome the latest agencies and Business Affiliates approved by the CSDA Board of Directors: Gazelle Fire Protection District California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (iBank) Silicon Valley Clean Energy Syserco Energy Solutions Westside Water Authority Workday Nichols Consulting Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency i3 Verticals Somach Simmons & Dunn Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Burney Basin Mosquito Abatement District Merchant Cost Consulting Pico Water District Marin Clean Energy (MCE) #FeatureNews

CSDA Expands Advocacy to Protect Workplace Technology Flexibility

By Morgan Leskody posted 5 days ago
@Aaron Avery CSDA recently joined its local government partners in signing onto coalitions to preserve public agencies’ flexibility in using workplace technology. The first measure, AB 2027 (Ward) Worker data: prohibitions: artificial intelligence, provides that an employer shall not use a worker’s personal information to train an artificial intelligence system to replicate, automate, or replace a worker’s job. The bill would leave significant questions about whether agencies can use AI systems or how they could train them to perform their tasks. AB 2027 will be heard in the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on April 16. The second ...

MUST READ: Details Emerge on CARB Truck Ban – Last Chance to Help

By Morgan Leskody posted 5 days ago
@Brittney Barsotti April 17 deadline rapidly approaching to comment on CARB mandate on local agencies’ to purchase only ZEV medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Special district leaders brief media on how CARB truck ban would severely hinder emergency readiness, using real-life examples from recent events. CalTrans releases report detailing the extraordinary costs and operational deficiencies of CARB’s truck ban. On Thursday April 9, 2026, CSDA hosted a press briefing with four special district general managers who provided clear examples of the troubling consequences the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations ...

Grants Update: Week of April 13, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 5 days ago
Grant Announcements: FTA Ferry Grant Program: The FTA announced the availability of $657 million to modernize passenger ferry service in rural and urban communities nationwide. The Ferry Grant Program provides funds to modernize terminal infrastructure, launch new ferry routes, and fund new ferries. Applications are due May 11, 2026. Safe Streets for All NOFO: The DOT announced $993 million for projects and strategies to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets. Applications are due May 26, 2026. Program Description Transportation Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of April 13, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 5 days ago
The House and Senate are in session this week. The Senate returns April 13, and the House returns April 14. Congress: Reconciliation Update: Congressional Republicans continue to deliberate on a new party-line budget reconciliation bill to fund ICE and CBP. Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) visited the White House to brief the President on Senate Republicans’ plans for a budget reconciliation bill. Surface Transportation Reauthorization: The markup of the surface transportation bill has been delayed from April 14 until late April. Lawmakers will reportedly continue negotiating the top-line funding ...

District Leaders Speak Out on CARB ZEV Mandate

By Kyle Packham posted 9 days ago
Local leaders are calling on CARB to amend its Advanced Clean Fleets ZEV mandate on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. CSDA is organizing action to elevate the voice of special districts and the communities they serve. Check out the latest developments below and visit csda.net/ZEV-Flexibility to learn more and join the cause. · San Diego Union Tribune Publishes OpEd by Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner · April 9 CSDA Virtual Media Availability: Impacted District Managers Speak Out · Like and share @CSDAdistrict posts on X and Bluesky

Call on CARB Now to Exclude Emergency Support Vehicles from ZEV Mandate

By Morgan Leskody posted 12 days ago
By: @Brittney Barsotti Download a sample letter you can submit to CARB urging the exclusion of all vehicles that support emergencies. Also, download graphics and sample social media posts . On April 2nd the California Air Resource Board (CARB) posted their latest proposed amendments to their Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations , opening a new 15-day public comment window. Comments will only be accepted until April 17, 2026 at 5:00pm. CARB’s 15-day amendments follow the previous 45-day comment period in September where CSDA and our partners requested amendments . CSDA is reiterating our request that vehicles that support emergency response ...

April Recommended Safety Talk – Outdoor and Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Training

By Morgan Leskody posted 12 days ago
*This content is provided by SDRMA Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention - California’s outdoor temperatures have been exceeding 80°F much earlier in the year. While heat illness prevention training is typically recommended in April, it is important to note the Cal/OSHA Outdoor Heat Illness regulation CCR 3395 applies whenever temperatures exceed 80°F. Click to read more: (English) (Spanish) Indoor Heat Illness Prevention - If your District is required to comply with the Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness regulation CCR 3396 , training is also required. For additional information on the indoor requirements, please click here or contact your risk control ...

Take the Special Districts 101 Challenge This Special Districts Week!

By Morgan Leskody posted 13 days ago
By: @Kyle Packham Celebrate Special Districts Week (April 5-11, 2026) by taking the Special Districts 101 Challenge! CSDA is pleased to launch a free online course where special district officials and the public at-large can enjoy a fun, interactive resource for learning more about the most popular form of local government in California. Gain a better understanding of the local agencies providing essential services to our communities and download a personalized certificate if you enroll and complete the course. Access Free Online Course: Special Districts 101 Course participants will learn: What a special district is What services do special ...

Assembly Local Government Committee Chair Speaks with CSDA

By Morgan Leskody posted 13 days ago
By: @Chris Palmer As part of our coverage of Special Districts Week (April 5-11, 2026), CSDA is pleased to feature our recent interview of Assembly Local Government Committee Chair Juan Carrillo , author of last year’s Special Districts Week Assembly Concurrent Resolution. Assembly Member Carrillo was first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022 and re-elected in November 2024 to represent the 39th Assembly District, which includes portions of the northern Antelope Valley and stretches into San Bernardino County. Prior to his election to the State Legislature, Carrillo served as a city planner for 15 years and held office on the Palmdale ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of April 6, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 13 days ago
The House and Senate are out of session. The Senate returns April 13, and the House returns April 14. Congress: Reconciliation Update 2.0: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) are working on a budget reconciliation package to fund ICE and CBP outside of the regular appropriations process. A proposed timeline plans for the Senate to provide a blueprint for a reconciliation package by the end of April, with a bill reaching President Trump’s desk by early June. This was the procedural maneuver by which H.R. 1; the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in 2025. However, razor-thin margins in the House could ...

Grants Update: Week of April 6, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 15 days ago
UPCOMING DEADLINES Deadline Program Notes 4/10/2026 BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance Program Supports Second Chance Act grantees to assess community reentry strategies and implement or expand interventions to address identified gaps in technical areas to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. 4/13/2026 Region 9 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants Assists eligible entities in developing programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands. Seeks to increase the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of March 30, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 19 days ago
House and Senate Action T he House and Senate are out of session and return the week of April 13. DHS Funding Senate Majority Leader John Thune (S-SD) said he’s working with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to find an agreement on DHS funding after House Republicans rejected the Senate’s compromise Friday and passed their own clean 60-day continuing resolution. The House bill passed 213-203 . However, Senate Democrats signaled that they would only support the Senate’s DHS funding measure, which excluded ICE and CBP funding. As the shutdown nears a second month, President Trump signed a memo that could allow TSA workers to ...

Smart Cash Flow and Management Practices for California Special Districts

By Morgan Leskody posted 19 days ago
This article originally appeared in the 2026 January/February issue of the California Special Districts magazine. By; California CLASS Relationship Team For California special districts, a sound cash flow and cash management practices are the foundation for delivering services, planning capital projects and navigating economic uncertainty. Regardless of your special district size, having a clear grip on your cash flow is critical to making smart financial decisions and maintaining long-term stability. Understanding Cash Flow Cash flow refers to the timing and movement of money in and out of special districts. A good cash flow forecast brings ...

Last Call: Student Video Contest Closes Tomorrow

By Kristin Withrow posted 19 days ago
There’s still time—but not much. The Districts Make the Difference Student Video Contest closes tomorrow, March 31, and high school students across the country are already stepping up. Entries have come in from 21 states so far, showing just how far the message is spreading. Open to students in grades 9–12, the contest invites participants to create a short (60 seconds or less) video showcasing how special districts make a difference in their communities—from clean water and fire protection to parks and public safety. The opportunity is simple, creative, and impactful. There’s no essay required, and submissions are judged on creativity, accuracy, production ...

NSDA Growing Stronger with Six New States

By Morgan Leskody posted 19 days ago
By: National Special Districts Association Since its formal establishment in January 2025, the National Special Districts Association (NSDA) has rapidly emerged as the unified national voice for special districts across the United States. From the outset, NSDA set an ambitious goal: to achieve representation in all 50 states by the end of 2027. Just one year later, that vision is on the road to becoming reality. Over the past year alone, NSDA has welcomed 12 new members, including nine individual special districts and three statewide associations, while expanding representation into six new states. This growth reflects both the increasing demand for a coordinated ...

Over 200 District Leaders Will Meet With 90 Legislative Offices on Priority Issues

By Morgan Leskody posted 19 days ago
By; @Kyle Packham On April 7, more than 200 special district leaders will join together at the State Capitol to meet with nearly 90 legislative offices as part of Special Districts Legislative Days . The office visits, pre-arranged by CSDA, allow attendees to bridge the gap between state policymakers and local service specialists. Legislative priorities on this year’s agenda include advocating for local flexibility in the use of emerging technology that makes local service delivery more affordable, as well as protecting special districts from the looming threat of local property tax diversions. Those already registered for this important opportunity to ...

Grants Update: Week of March 30, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
Check out the new "Federal Grant Funding Outlook for Special Districts in 2026" resource for NSDA members! These slides are intended to provide an overview of FY 2026 funding, help structure your grant planning strategy, and highlight NSDA Grants resources. We also invite you to complete the 2026 NSDA Grants Survey to help us better understand your familiarity with federal grants and your interest in pursuing these opportunities. Your responses will enable us to tailor resources and support to better meet your needs. Feedback from this survey will also shape the topics for upcoming NSDA Grants Brownbag sessions scheduled for April 16, July 16, & September ...

Edison Fire Protection District Receives more than $218,000 in Grants to Strengthen Rural Emergency Services

By Kristin Withrow posted 24 days ago
This article originally appeared at koaa.com news on February 25, 2026. EDISON, Colo. (KOAA) — Following their busiest year to date, the Edison Fire Protection District (EFPD) cut its emergency response times by almost 12 minutes in 2025. EFPD released its 2025 annual report, highlighting the time reduction and more than $218,000 in grants and donations that have significantly strengthened the district's emergency services in El Paso, Lincoln, and Pueblo counties. The breakdown of the $218,325.95 in grant funding and donated equipment from 2025 can be found below: $146,825.95 – FEMA AFG SAFER Recruitment & Retention Grant $40,000 – Ambulance ...