Blogs

Paradise Irrigation District’s Hard-Earned Lessons from the 2018 Camp Fire Disaster

By Kristin Withrow posted 4 days ago
By Kristin Withrow, Communications Specialist, CSDA In November 2018, the Camp Fire devastated the Town of Paradise, spreading as fast as 80 football fields per minute and destroying 90% of the town’s homes along with critical infrastructure. The Paradise Irrigation District (PID), a special district formed in 1916 and governed by a locally elected board, faced unprecedented challenges. With 95% of its revenue wiped out and its water delivery system severely compromised, the district confronted a complex environmental and communication crisis. PID Assistant District Manager Mickey Rich and District Manager Kevin Phillips shared critical lessons learned from ...

Share Your Stories for a Chance to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card

By Morgan Leskody posted 4 days ago
Share Your Stories for a Chance to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card We want to hear from you! CSDA is inviting districts to share their stories for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card in our Member Submitted Content drawing. How to Enter Submit your district’s story on our new Member Submitted Content page OR tag us on social media AND use the hashtag #CSDA . Each submission counts as an entry into the drawing. You can share: Photos Events Story ideas Article ideas Deadline All submissions must be received by December 20 to be entered into the drawing. Share your stories, highlight your district’s ...

New AB 339 Contracting Notification Implementation Webinar 12/15

By Morgan Leskody posted 4 days ago
By: @Aaron Avery CSDA has teamed up with its partners at Rural County Representatives of California, California State Association of Counties, Urban Counties of California, and League of California Cities to bring you a webinar on what agencies need to know about implementing AB 339 (Ortega) Local public employee organizations: notice requirements . The webinar will take place on Monday, December 15, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Click HERE to register. Who should attend: Special District Board Members, Department Heads, Executive staff, including General Managers, as well as Agency Counsel, HR Managers, and Procurement Managers/staff. CSDA was ...

2026 New Laws Series, Part 7: 45-Day Notification Prior to Contracting for Services (AB 339)

By Morgan Leskody posted 4 days ago
By: Jason M. Ewert, Partner, Cole Huber LLP When a local government decides to contract out the work of their public employees, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA) and controlling decisions by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) require the agency to notify its union and bargain over either the decision or its impacts. Despite the existing legal framework for addressing any perceived failure to meet and confer with recognized unions prior to contracting out bargaining unit work, on October 13, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 339 (Ortega) over the opposition of local government groups. AB 339 amends the MMBA by adding section 3504.1 to the California ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of December 1, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 4 days ago
House and Senate Action Congress returns from its Thanksgiving break to a packed December. Both chambers are scheduled to be in session for three weeks before lawmakers head home for the holidays. House This week, the House is set to consider 22 bills on the suspension calendar (which requires a two-thirds majority for passage) on a range of topics. Of particular interest to hospital districts, the chamber will consider a measure (H.R. 4313) that would extend the current hospital-at-home (H@H) waiver program through 2030. Under the H@H model, patients receive acute level care in their homes, rather than in a hospital setting. To participate, hospitals ...

Business Affiliates: It's Time to Plan your 2026 Conference Calendar

By Kristin Withrow posted 5 days ago
Showcase your subject matter expertise at one of our conferences to boost your brand recognition, generate leads and strengthen relationships with the leaders of California's special districts. 🔗 Jump to our Exhibitor Opportunities page 📅 2026 Conference Calendar Conference Dates Location Special Districts Legislative Days April 7-8, 2026 Sacramento Special District Leadership Academy May 11-14, 2026 San Diego General Manager Leadership Summit June 28-30, 2026 Newport Beach Special District Leadership Academy July 19-22, 2026 San Rafael Annual Conference & Exhibitor ...

ESD3 Holds Push-In Ceremony (TX)

By Kristin Withrow posted 5 days ago
This article originally appeared in KOGT.com on October 19, 2025. On Sunday Emergency Services District #3 held a traditional “Push-In” of their new 2025 Sutphen Fire Truck. It’s something they’ve been patiently waiting to do since they ordered it three years ago. “There was some supply and demand issues,” said Commissioner Scott McDonald. But it takes time to build and it’s custom to the specifications we wanted. But we’re glad to have it to serve our community.” The tradition of the ceremonial “Push-In” dates back to the 1800’s when fire engines were pulled by horses. When firefighters returned from a call they would have to unhook the horses from ...

Join the 2026 CSDM Study Group Now

By Morgan Leskody posted 11 days ago
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the 2026 Certified Special District Manager (CSDM) Study Group. Our new facilitator this year is General Manager of the Year Sean Barclay from Tahoe City Public Utility District. By joining the study group, you will be part of an exclusive CSDA online community. Each month study group participants participate in zoom meetings to review and discuss topics related to the CSDM exam. Participants are responsible for actively engaging in the online community and submitting five sample questions per month regarding that month’s topic. Participants also serve as presenter during at least one meeting per year to summarize and ...

Welcome to the Calaveras County Chapter and Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties Chapter

By Morgan Leskody posted 12 days ago
By @Dane Wadlé , Senior Public Affairs Field Coordinator - Sierra Network and @Richelle Noroyan , Public Affairs Field Coordinator - Coastal Network On November 14, 2025, the CSDA Board of Directors approved affiliation agreements with two newly formed chapters, the Calaveras County Special Districts Association and the Special Districts Association of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties! There are now 29 CSDA affiliated chapters in California. Both chapters had districts come forward to explore the possibility of forming a chapter in their respective areas. In Calaveras County, multiple districts introduced the idea of establishing a local chapter ...

2026 New Laws Series, Part 6: Positioning Special Districts for Success Under New Permitting and Planning Laws

By Morgan Leskody posted 12 days ago
By: Taylor M. Anderson, Esq. and @Gary Bell , Esq., Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC The California State Legislature shows no signs of slowing its overhaul of housing laws. This year, two laws—SB 489 and AB 712—aim to expedite housing development but bring downstream consequences for special districts responsible for delivering critical infrastructure and services. Special districts are sometimes consulted in the development process too late or not at all by other public agencies entitling these projects. Without land use authority to condition projects, special districts lack a mechanism used by cities and counties to ensure their development requirements ...

Congratulations to the 2025 CSDA Advocacy All-Stars

By Morgan Leskody posted 12 days ago
By: Anna C. Stagg, Legislative Assistant In 2025, 91 special districts responded to both of CSDA’s major Calls-to-Action earning the distinction as CSDA’s 2025 Advocacy All-Stars. Calls-to-Action are deployed for bills, initiatives, or issues that have a pervasive or important impact on special districts throughout California. The voices of many special districts united for a common cause make districts stronger together. The two 2025 Calls-to-Action were: AB 259 (Rubio) regarding Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences (Brown Act) SB 496 (Hurtado) regarding the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation Ultimately the provisions of AB 259, sponsored ...

Grants Update: Week of November 24, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 12 days ago
Grants Update Week of November 24, 2025 Please note that there will not be a Grants Update next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. New Grant Opportunities Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Advanced Biofuel Payment Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program will support and ensure an expanding production of advanced biofuels by providing payments to eligible advanced biofuel producers. This program is intended to increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are entities that produce and sell advanced biofuel, ...

Port of Everett Awarded $1M Recreation and Conservation Grant (Washington)

By Kristin Withrow posted 13 days ago
This article first appeared on 425 Business October 6, 2025 by Antoinette Alexander . Using a $1 million grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office , the Port of Everett will start renovation work at the Jetty Landing Boat Launch, which is the largest public boat launch in the state and averages nearly 30,000 launches annually. The Port of Everett announced in a press release that project design will begin early next year, with in-water construction anticipated to start in 2027. Work is scheduled to be completed by February 2028 at the latest. “We are grateful to the Recreation and Conservation Office for investing in a facility ...

“Public Officials Managing Investments” Now Required to E-file Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)

By Kristin Withrow posted 18 days ago
This article was originally published by Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Beginning in 2026, public officials who manage a local agency’s investment will be required to file Form 700 Statement of Economic Interest with the FPPC through FPPC’s e-filing system. Senate Bill (SB) 852, signed into law by Governor Newsom on October 3, 2025, amends the Political Reform Act of 1974 (Government Code sections 81000 et seq.). Specifically, SB 852 amends Government Code section 87500 to now require “a public official who manages public investments” to e-file with the FPPC instead of filing with their local agency. According to the legislature, the intent ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of November 17, 2025

By Kristin Withrow posted 18 days ago
House and Senate Action House The House returns to a full workload after nearly two months out of session during the government shutdown. Lawmakers are set to consider 17 bills on the suspension calendar (which requires a two-thirds majority for passage), including legislation – the PILLAR Act (H.R. 5078) – to reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Program. Later in the week, the House is also expected to take up legislation directing the Attorney General to release unclassified records related to Jeffrey Epstein. The full schedule is available here . Senate The Senate returns on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to focus primarily on nominations. ...

Federal Grants Update: Week of November 17, 2025

By Kristin Withrow posted 19 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants include most state and local governmental entities; private nonprofits; and Federally-recognized tribes. TOTAL FUNDING ...

2025 Year-End Legislative Report

By Kristin Withrow posted 19 days ago
By: Anna C. Stagg, CSDA Legislative Assistant During the 2025 Legislative Year, CSDA reviewed 2,838 measures introduced by the California State Legislature. At the direction of our Legislative Committee, CSDA actively tracked 1,411 bills and maintained priority positions on 131 measures. Of the 57 bills opposed by CSDA, only 6 became laws. Of the 74 bills supported by CSDA, 31 become laws. DOWNLOAD 2025 YEAR-END LEGISLATIVE REPORT CSDA is honored to advocate for and represent special districts in the pursuit of providing members with the necessary resources to best serve their communities. Read the Year-End Legislative Report for more highlights. ...

2026 New Laws Series, Part 5: Biggest Brown Act Revamp in Decades (SB 707)

By Kristin Withrow posted 19 days ago
By: @Jeff Hoskinson and @Nicolle Falcis , Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 707 (Durazo) into law on October 3, 2025, with most provisions set to go in effect on January 1, 2026. SB 707 makes extensive updates to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code section 54950 et seq.), the primary open meeting law governing local agency legislative bodies. The legislation both restores and restructures various provisions set to expire in 2026, makes permanent certain transparency-related reforms, and establishes new requirements to expand public access and participation in local government proceedings. The Brown Act generally ...

Unified Fire Authority works with school district to recruit, train future firefighters (Utah)

By Kristin Withrow posted 20 days ago
This article first appeared on Fox 13 Salt Lake City oon October 8, 2025 by Averie Klonowski SALT LAKE CITY — Firehouse traditions go way back, and for Unified Fire Authority, many of them start at their training facility in Magna. Sean Garrett is a fourth-generation firefighter and is one of the instructors there. “Learning how to manage fire attack lines, learning how to manage ladders, and also the confidence drill that they have in the confined space maze, wearing all of their PPE,” said Garrett. On Wednesday, they had an entire group out for the day on their training grounds, doing a number of courses. “My aunt was [a firefighter] ...

Federal Grants Update Week of November 7, 2025

By Kristin Withrow posted 24 days ago
New Grant Opportunities National Endowment for the Arts FY 2027 NEA Big Read Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program supports organizations across the country in hosting dynamic community-wide reading programs that broaden people's understanding of the world, themselves, and their neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, universities/colleges, school districts, public libraries, tribal organizations, museums, and community services organizations. If the applicant itself is not itself a library, it must partner with a community ...