Blogs

Federal Grant Available for Volunteer Firefighter Support Equipment

By Morgan Leskody posted yesterday
By: Ophelia Szigeti The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is administering a federally funded grant program designed to support local and rural fire departments (including fire districts) that utilize volunteer firefighters. Known as the Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program, this grant provides funding for the purchase of certain firefighting equipment, training resources, communication tools, and safety gear for eligible applicants. Grant awards range from $500 to $20,000 and require a 50% local match. The application deadline is May 5, 2025, and award notifications are expected in August 2025. Interested ...

NSDA Releases New Federal Funding Guides for CSDA Members

By Morgan Leskody posted yesterday
Federal Funding Resources Free Benefit to CSDA Members By: National Special Districts Association NSDA announces the addition of 13 new and four recently updated funding guides to help CSDA members have access to the federal funding they need. These valuable resources run the gamut of special district services and functions, including fire prevention, parks, water, cybersecurity, electric vehicles and much more. A prime benefit of CSDA membership is access to NSDA guides and grant consultations. Whether you are just starting out with identifying your asset planning or capital improvement budgeting, or you have a project ready to go, NSDA ...

NSDA Releases New Grant Guides and Water Funding Webinar

By Morgan Leskody posted yesterday
Federal Funding Resources Free Benefit to CSDA Members By: National Special Districts Association The National Special Districts Association (NSDA) announces the addition of 13 new and four recently updated funding guides to help CSDA members have access to the federal funding they need. Additionally, registration is now open to the May 6 NSDA webinar on federal funding for water resources and supply. Water Resources and Supply Tuesday, May 6 at 11:00am This session will explore funding opportunities through the Bureau of Reclamation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), focusing on grants for water infrastructure, conservation ...

Action Alert: Join Coalition in Support of Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act

By Morgan Leskody posted yesterday
As previously announced by the National Special Districts Association (NSDA), the marquee legislation to define special districts in federal law has been introduced in the 119th Congress and CSDA is calling on all special districts and their partners to join the NSDA Coalition in support of H.R. 2766 , the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act. Join Coalition in Support of Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act [NOTE: CSDA members can sign-in to NSDA website to access full content and benefits using Access Code: CSDA7525] H.R. 2766 is a reintroduction of H.R. 7525 from the last Congress, which was titled the Special District ...

CSDA Engages in Court Efforts on behalf of Special Districts – 1st Quarter Update

By Morgan Leskody posted 2 days ago
This year has been off to a fast start, and in its effort to represent independent special districts wherever policy is made – including the courts – CSDA has tracked dozens of cases and has taken action on four key cases described below that impact the operations or governance of public agencies, including special districts. CSDA receives counsel on its amicus efforts from the Legal Advisory Working Group , comprised of attorneys throughout the state. Details regarding actions CSDA has taken on cases in the appeals process are provided below. SLO Coastkeeper v. County of SLO – Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals The case includes a single federal claim ...

Port of Hueneme “Energized” by $4 Million Grant to Boost Vessel Plug-In Capabilities

By Morgan Leskody posted 2 days ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2025 Port of Hueneme Contact: Zach Baliva Director of Communications & PIO zbaliva@Portofh.org (805) 271-2509 Port of Hueneme “Energized” by $4 Million Grant to Boost Vessel Plug-In Capabilities With new funding in place, the Port is charging forward toward its goal of zero emissions by 2030. PORT HUENEME, CA – April 18, 2025 – The Port of Hueneme, the only deepwater port between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, is set to receive an additional $4 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding that will allow the organization to complete an ...

Grants Update: Week of April 21, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 5 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of Energy FY 2026 Energy to Communities Program: Peer-Learning Cohorts WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides an opportunity for local, regional, and tribal governments to participate in peer-learning cohorts regarding clean energy. Rather than providing monetary awards, this program will provide technical assistance to cohorts, including strategic and technical support; helpful materials, such as templates, trainings, tools, best practices, and analyses; and opportunities for collaboration with other communities across the United States facing similar challenges. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? ...

Governor Launches Accelerated Online Permitting System to Boost Wildfire Resilience Efforts

By Ophelia Szigeti posted 5 days ago
Today Governor Newsom’s office announced the launch of a new online permitting system designed to streamline approval for vegetation management projects, with the goal of reducing the permit processing time to 30 days. This initiative follows the Governor’s emergency proclamation issued on March 1, which suspends certain environmental regulations—including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Coastal Act—to accelerate fuel reduction efforts. Under this directive, non-state entities are permitted to carry out pre-approved fuels reduction projects through the simplified process. A centralized website is now available to determine project ...

Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act Introduced in the House

By Morgan Leskody posted 8 days ago
Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act Introduced in the House Bill would formalize a federal statutory definition of special district. Last week, Representatives Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) introduced legislation ( H.R. 2766 ) that would establish a first-ever formal definition of “special district” in federal law. The bipartisan bill – which is NSDA's number one federal legislative priority – also would direct the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to federal agencies requiring special districts to be recognized as local governments for purposes of ensuring that districts ...

CSDA-Sponsored AB 259 Passes First Committee

By Morgan Leskody posted 8 days ago
By: Marcus Detwiler On April 9, the Assembly Local Government Committee unanimously passed Assembly Bill 259 (Rubio) to extend a sunset on a Brown Act provision that allows local government board members to remotely participate in meetings under certain, limited conditions. CSDA Legislative Representative Marcus Detwiler and Three Valleys Municipal Water District Director Jody Roberto provided lead testimony in support of AB 259, which is co-sponsored by their respective organizations. Numerous additional organizations contributed support in-person at the committee hearing and more than 130 special districts submitted a letter ...

A Decade Together in the Field with Our Members

By Morgan Leskody posted 8 days ago
April 2025 marks the 10 th anniversary of CSDA’s Public Affairs Field Coordinator Program By: Dane Wadlé CSDA’s Public Affairs Field Coordinator Program is officially ten years old! It was April 2015 when Chris Palmer and Dane Wadlé began as the association’s inaugural public affairs field coordinators. Chris covered the newly re-named Central, Coastal, and Southern Networks and Dane covered the Northern, Bay Area, and Sierra Networks. Both quickly became road warriors crisscrossing the state to introduce this new member benefit. With special districts serving communities from Del Norte to San Diego and Monterey to Inyo, the CSDA Board ...

Grants Update: Week of April 14, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 8 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of Agriculture FY 2025 OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative: Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program assists private lenders in providing affordable financing to qualified borrowers to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems for households and businesses in rural areas. Projects must be located in rural areas with a population of 50,000 or fewer, excluding incarcerated populations. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Lenders with the legal authority, financial strength, and sufficient ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of April 14, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 8 days ago
Congress is on recess for the next two weeks in observance of the Easter holiday. Our next Federal Legislative Update will return when both chambers reconvene on April 28.  House Republicans Pass Senate’s Budget Resolution Framework, Unlocking Reconciliation Last week, the House of Representatives narrowly approved the Senate’s budget framework on a 216-214 vote, effectively unlocking the filibuster-proof reconciliation process. Only two Republicans – Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN) – voted against the resolution, while two Republicans – Representatives David Valadao (R-CA) and Bob Onder (R-MO) – abstained from the vote. ...

Parkville named best rural water system in Colorado

By Kristin Withrow posted 9 days ago
This article was originally published on March 31, 2025 in the Leadville herald and was written by Finn McNally. Parkville Water District was awarded Water System of the Year by the Colorado Rural Water Association (CRWA). CRWA is a nonprofit organization that provides training, assistance and representation to rural communities and their water systems. Parkville’s general manager Greg Teter, assistant manager Brian Formanek and water technician Aidan Fleming attended CRWA’s 44th annual conference in Loveland and accepted the award in front of an audience of around 350 water professionals from around Colorado. The award is given out based on the quality ...

Grants Update: Week of April 7, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 15 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of Agriculture FY 2025 Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program supports the provision of clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage for households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding will help eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for the funding agency's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program . Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Most state and local government ...

District Story: Valley-Wide Re-Names Streets for Leaders

By Kristin Withrow posted 15 days ago
Former GM Goepp, Former Director Minor and Current Director Schouten Recognized at Diamond Valley Lake Park Valley-Wide Recreation and Park has re-named streets at Diamond Valley Lake Community Park in Hemet in recognition of three men who have dedicated so much time to help the district grow into one of the largest recreation and park districts in the state. Streets within the complex were re-named for former General Manager Sam Goepp, former Board Director Larry Minor and current Board Vice President Nick Schouten during a ceremony on March 29. The three have served the district for more than 90 years combined and were responsible for the growth of Valley-Wide ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of April 7, 2025

By Morgan Leskody posted 15 days ago
House and Senate Action The House and Senate both gaveled into session on Monday afternoon. In the House, lawmakers will begin the week by considering a series of bipartisan veterans-related bills on the suspension calendar, including legislation ( H.R. 1039 ) that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the clarity and readability of all written communications related to veterans’ benefits claims, including decisions, denials, and appeals. Later in the week, attention will shift to more contentious items, including a partisan budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) and a bill (H.R. 22) that would ...

Assembly Member Blanca Rubio Honored as Legislator of the Year by California Special Districts Association

By Morgan Leskody posted 15 days ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2025 Contact: Chris Palmer Senior Public Affairs Field Coordinator California Special Districts Association chrisp@csda.net (714) 743-7404 Contact: Veronica Lopez District Director Assembly Member Blanca Rubio Veronica.lopez@asm.ca.gov (626) 960-4457 phone Assembly Member Blanca Rubio Honored as Legislator of the Year by California Special Districts Association Claremont, CA—Special districts in the San Gabriel Valley recognized Assembly Member Blanca Rubio (AD-48) as their “Legislator of the Year” at an event featuring local leaders from throughout the region. Assembly Member Rubio was honored ...

SB 496 Passes First Committee Following Testimony of Water District GM

By Morgan Leskody posted 16 days ago
By: Anthony Tannehill SB 496 (Hurtado) passed unanimously out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee last week and is expected to next be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on April 22. Co-sponsored by CSDA, this measure reforms the ZEV mandates on state and local fleets imposed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation. Olivenhain Municipal Water District, General Manager, Kim Thorner provided compelling, expert testimony during the first Senate policy committee hearing. This testimony and the entire hearing can be viewed HERE . The Senate Environmental Quality Committee voted to pass SB 496 ...

Status of SB 496 (Hurtado) Safe and Clean Fleets

By Ophelia Szigeti posted 20 days ago
Today, SB 496 (Safe and Clean Fleets) passed unanimously out of Senate Environmental Quality Committee. CSDA and our front-line members are grateful to the authors and committee members for their support of this important public policy to ensure state and local agencies have the tools necessary to protect California’s communities. Also, thank you to Olivenhain Municipal Water District, General Manager, Kim Thorner for her compelling testimony. #EnvironmentandDisasterPreparedness