Home › ACWA Spotlight

California Forward

California Forward recently updated its framework titled “Smart Government: Making California Work Again.” The July 11 version of the framework outlines a restructuring plan for California covering five proposals designed to increase efficiency and encourage integration of local government service.

Earlier versions of the framework called for a new constitutional authority to develop local agreements for reassigning responsibilities and revenue in ways that would improve results and make government understandable to the people.

ACWA was concerned that the proposed language would open the door to reallocation on a local level of the property tax funding critical to many water agencies.

The July 11 version clarifies that such "local agrements would require the approval of each participating local agency," thereby relieving water agencies of the specter of forced redistribution of property tax revenue. This change improves the document, in ACWA's view, since any affected agencies would have to consent to an agreement

California Forward also held a series of nine regional stakeholder roundtables throughout the state to get feedback and refine the framework, bringing together government leaders from counties, cities, schools and special districts.

ACWA submitted a comment letter to California Forward on June 21 emphasizing that water agencies are tailored to fit their local communities and frequently coordinate with neighboring agencies to address regional challenges or needs.

ACWA was also a signatory to an April 8 letter to California Forward signed by the California Special Districts Association and other special district groups. That letter noted that special districts are best equipped to provide specific services without distraction or strain to city, state or county balance sheets.

California Forward has been soliciting comments on the draft framework and is set to issue formal recommendations in July. Further information on California Forward’s framework is available here.

ACWA and the California Special Districts Association have developed new materials to help the public better understand special districts and the unique role they play in providing essential services to people and communities. The materials can viewed on ACWA's "Local Districts at Your Service" page.