Financials

Funding

Mendocino LAFCo is funded in equal thirds by the County, the 4 cities, and the 50 independent special districts in the county (member agencies). Each of these three categories provides a third of the Commission's annual costs; the amounts paid by individual cities and districts are proportional to their operational budgets. In addition, LAFCo charges application fees to help offset operational costs.

Budget Process

The LAFCo budget process includes the following steps (GOV 56381 and Mendocino LAFCo Policy 5.1):

In March, LAFCo's Executive Committee reviews the Preliminary Budget and Work Program prepared by the Executive Officer and provides review, input and comment.
At a noticed public hearing held in April, the Commission considers the Executive Committee's proposal, as well as comments from the public and public agencies, and adopts a Proposed Budget and Work Program.
The Proposed Budget and Work Program is circulated to the County, cities and independent special districts.
Following a second noticed public hearing held before June 15, the Commission adopts the Final Budget and Work Program.

The law requires that the Commission's budget must be at least equal to that adopted for the previous fiscal year unless the Commission finds that reductions in staffing or program costs will nevertheless allow the Commission to fulfill its responsibilities (GOV 56381(a)).