Special Districts
It is quite inaccurate to portray special districts as bloated, mismanaged fiefdoms, when in fact the opposite is true (“America’s Forgotten Fiefdoms,” May 26).
Historically, the purpose of special districts has been to provide vital local services with maximum efficiency, flexibility and responsiveness to problems unique to the district, and minimum overhead and bureaucracy. A 1990 study by the state controller’s office found that more than half the expenditures of non-enterprise special districts went directly to services and supplies, and only a little more than a quarter was spent on salaries and other personnel costs. Much of this admirably low ratio is because many of California’s special districts rely on volunteerism--neighbors helping neighbors.
We urge the governor to rethink his proposal to shift $2.6 billion in property tax revenues away from local government, including special districts.
JOHN C. SAGEHORN
General Manager
Castaic Lake Water Agency
Santa Clarita
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