Blogs

Join the 2026 CSDM Study Group Now

By Morgan Leskody posted 2 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 3 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 3 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 3 days ago
By: Anna C. Stagg, Legislative Assistant In 2025, 90 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 3 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 4 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 9 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 9 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 11 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 15 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 ...

The Hidden Impacts of a Federal Shutdown on America’s Special Districts

By Kristin Withrow posted 15 days ago
By the National Special Districts Association Special districts are the nation’s most local form of government—providing essential services such as clean water, fire protection, public safety, parks, libraries, flood control, health care, and more. The National Special Districts Association (NSDA) represents and advocates for these vital agencies, ensuring that they have a voice in federal decision-making. During the recent federal government shutdown, NSDA surveyed over 100 districts from across the country to understand how interruptions at the federal level affect local service delivery. The results reveal widespread disruption, frustration, and uncertainty ...

2026 New Laws Series, Part 4: Clarifying Timing for Collection of Development Related Fees (SB 499)

By Kristin Withrow posted 15 days ago
By: Sara Mares, Chief Operating Officer, NBS - Local Government Consultants SB 499, authored by State Senator Henry Stern and sponsored by the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts, refines the rules under the Mitigation Fee Act related to when local governments may collect certain development impact fees during the construction process. Enacted in 1987, the Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code §66000 et seq.) establishes the framework governing how local agencies impose fees on development projects to mitigate the impacts of growth. The Act requires local governments to identify the purpose and use of each fee, demonstrate a reasonable ...

Share Your Success: Advertise Your District’s Story

By Kristin Withrow posted 15 days ago
Your district is doing important work serving your community, completing projects on time and on budget, and innovating to meet local needs. Now’s your chance to make sure those achievements get the recognition they deserve. Get Started Here Advertising with CSDA is more than promotion: it’s reputation building. Our digital and print platforms reach thousands of local government professionals, legislators, and industry leaders who care about effective, transparent, and community-focused services. By highlighting your district’s programs, upcoming events, or recent successes, you showcase leadership, accountability, and the real value your agency provides. ...

Back to Basics - Strengthening your Game with an Injury & Illness prevention Playbook

By Kristin Withrow posted 15 days ago
By: Enriqueta Castro, CSP, SDRMA Risk Control Manager Just like in sports, special districts rely on a healthy, high-performing team to achieve their goals. An effective injury and illness prevention program is your defensive line—it’s the playbook that protects your employees. The power of the IIPP starts with identifying and evaluating workplace hazards. This process provides a road map to determine potential hazards, identify Cal/OSHA regulations, and develop a game plan on how to protect your employees. Let’s take a look at all of the elements of the IIPP. Please note, the information provided is general in nature, we recommend a thorough review of ...

Water agencies collaborate to bring water to Yucaipa/Calimesa (California)

By Kristin Withrow posted 18 days ago
This article first appeared in the, Yucaipa Calimesa News Mirror Reporter Oct 21, 2025 by By Adeniyi Latinwo Local and regional water leaders broke ground on the County Line Road Recharge Basin and Turnout Project on Tuesday, Oct. 14. It is a $3.1 million initiative designed to bring clean drinking water and drought resilience to the Calimesa region. The San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, and South Mesa Water Company are partnering on the County Line Road Recharge Basin and Turnout Project. The groundbreaking was located near 960 Fourth Street, Community Park. This regional water supply project will deliver ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of November 3, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 23 days ago
House and Senate Action House The House is not in session. Senate This week, the Senate will seek to invoke cloture on the nomination of Eric Chunyee Tung to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. Tung is a former law clerk to both Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Early Signs of Progress as Shutdown Nears Record Length Last week, the Senate again rejected the House-passed short-term funding bill ( H.R. 5371 ), marking the 13th failed vote and extending the government shutdown into its fifth week. If the stalemate continues beyond Tuesday, it will become the longest federal government shutdown ...

Federal Shutdown Resources

By Morgan Leskody posted 23 days ago
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, updates on new program funding and awards have been delayed. We have included the following resources to help you stay informed during this pause. CRS: Government Shutdowns and Executive Branch Operations: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (September 2, 2025) CRS: Government Shutdowns and Legislative Branch Operations: Frequently Asked Questions (September 30, 2025) LIH: Unlock a Second Operating Budget: How Optimizing Grants Management Delivers Results in Uncertain Times Webinar Recording and Summary NACo: What Counties Need to Know When a Government Shutdown Happens NEW! NACo: Federal Government ...