Morongo Valley’s Community Services District is a county-sanctioned form of local government in charge of street lights, parks, and the fire department in this unincorporated area, services that would otherwise be provided by the county. Compared to the county, the CSD is thought to offer more consistent, more responsive service, and provide more local control. Assignment reporter Mike Lipsitz explains that providing such services is not without challenge …
The Morongo Valley CSD has struggled financially in recent years for a host of legitimate reasons. In tough financial situations a business, household, or government agency must increase revenue, cut expenses, or both. The CSD attempted to increase revenue to maintain service levels through a special tax. But voters there rejected any tax increase leaving the CSD no option but to cut expenses. This explanation is lifted from a review last month by the Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, which has been scrutinizing CSD operations due to its precarious financial situation. The report goes on to say, “The District has worked hard to keep itself afloat and should be recognized for these efforts.” It points to realistic expenditures and staffing as evidenced in its current budget, as well as the formation of an ad hoc committee to formulate a five-year plan for fire protection and emergency medical response. LAFCO cautioned that the CSD’s short-term viability would be in jeopardy if the current fire truck needed sudden replacement, if they lost their contract to fight fires outside the district, or if they were to lose general manager Donna Munoz.
LAFCO SCRUTINIZING MORONGO VALLEY CSD
