Special districts are local government agencies that provide a wide range of public services throughout San Diego County, including water, sewer service, irrigation water, hospital facilities, fire protection and emergency response.

Their operating areas are generally outside of city limits and mostly in county land. They are run by a board of directors elected by registered voters in the area the district serves. Special districts operate under California state law; their creation, expansion and use of state-granted powers are monitored by the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). LAFCO commissioners represent city, county, special districts and the public. LAFCO decisions always reflect public input.

Few people realize that special districts--which well could be called specialized local governments--are the purest form of grass-roots government. Service to your area literally is controlled through the ballot box with your vote: the directors represent you. Their performance is always subject to your approval. You have the right to attend and contribute to their monthly hearings. Local problems in specific services can be handled locally, not in Sacramento or San Diego.

Special districts have been successful at the community level for almost a century; they are an outstanding example of successful home rule. Far from disrupting the authority and operations of the county, they supplement county services in areas away from the cities.

The San Diego Chapter of the California Special Districts Association has embarked on a student scholarship award program for high school seniors to help encourage them to continue their education, with the hope that they might, in the future, consider entering this essential field of public service.

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What is a special District?

Special districts are a type of local government that delivers specific public services within defined boundaries.

State law defines a special district as "any agency of the state for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries" (Government Code §16271 [d]).
Special districts can be distinguished by four common characteristics:

• A form of government
• Governed by a board
• Provide services and facilities
• Has defined boundaries.

Inadequate tax bases and competing demands for existing taxes make it hard for cities and counties to provide all the services their citizens desire. When residents or landowners want new services or higher levels of existing services, they can form a district to pay for them. There are fire districts, irrigation districts, and pest abatement districts existing today because taxpayers were willing to pay for public services they wanted. Special districts localize the costs and benefits of public services.

So, what makes us "special" is focused service. Focused because special districts only serve in specifically defined areas, unlike counties and cities that provide services throughout their boundaries. Special districts are also focused because most of them provide only a single service, allowing them to concentrate on one activity. Service because special districts deliver public programs and public facilities that their constituents want. Cities and counties must provide a wide variety of services, some of them mandated by the federal and state governments. Special districts provide the public services that the public wants.

Download a copy of "What's so special About Special Districts" at
http://www.csda.net/images/Whatsso.pdf.

These can be printed and included in your application pack with the application cover sheet and application.