Local News in Brief : LAFCO-Control Bill Gains

A bill that would shift control over the government agencies that oversee city incorporation efforts from counties to the state won a major victory Wednesday when it was approved by a key state Senate committee.

The Senate Local Government Committee approved the measure, authored by Valencia state Sen. Ed Davis, by a 4-1 vote. The bill now will go to the Senate Appropriations Committee after May 9, a Davis aide said.

The legislation would shift the source of Local Agency Formation Commission funding from counties to the state and would prohibit LAFCO offices from being housed in county buildings.

The bill would require analysis of a cityhood proposal by an independent consultant, more detailed accounting of an area’s projected budget figures and the keeping of court-type records of LAFCO proceedings.

The measure also would make it easier for cityhood proponents who believe incorporation has been unjustly denied to challenge a LAFCO decision in court, Davis said.

Last week, the committee heard more than two hours of testimony, most of it in favor of the measure.

Davis, a Republican, said he introduced the bill after he observed three cityhood movements--Santa Clarita and Calabasas in Los Angeles County and Citrus Heights in Sacramento County--”at very close range.” In those efforts, he said he saw arrogance and resistance to change on the part of the LAFCOs involved.