RE: Question regarding Jan 14 RAB Meeting discussion of CSAs

[dickboyd@aol.com]

--

In a message dated 2/6/2004 11:31:58 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
<...> writes:


> Dear Mr. Boyd,
> 
> I am working on finalizing the minutes for the January 14, 2004 RAB meeting.
> The minutes refer to a discussion in which you suggested that county "CSAs"
> should be reviewed. Can you tell me what CSA stands for?  I'd like to put
> the full name in the minutes.
> 
> Thanks very much for your help.
> 


CSAs are County Service Areas. CSAs are probably the smallest level of 
government in California. They are typically formed by a developer as a
means of 
collecting money from landowners to build roads. The simplest CSAs are
for road 
easements. Money for CSAs will be a line item on the property owners tax
bill.

This link:

       <<http://www.csda.net/>>

takes you to the California Special Districts Association. CSAs are
"special 
districts". There are links to California Code regarding CSAs.

I have been unable to find a list of the CSAs that exist in any county.
Nor 
have I been able to find the point of contact at any CSA, except for the
CSA 
where I live and two other CSAs that are researching road questions. I
have been 
unable to find the "charter" for the special districts. But I have heard
that 
people have petitioned to get changes to their own CSAs. Some CSAs offer 
ambulance service or radio broadcast service and the like. I have heard,
but have 
not been able to confirm that. 

Some CSAs are rumored to have petitioned for a change in assessment.
Both in 
formula and in real dollars.

_From the easement that the county holds for roads on my property, I
would 
guess that Yuba County could go dig up the roads in any CSA to
investigate what 
ever they could get the County Attorney or BOS to sign off on.
Unexploded 
ordinance in the 40 foot easement? Go dig and find out. That would get a
lot of 
attention from the homeowners. Especially if they knew they had recourse
to the 
seller or title company to correct any defects.

My intent was to find out if a CSA could be created to search for
unexploded 
ordinance or to somehow control land use in FUDS. If someone chooses to
built 
in a FUDS after informed consent, I would suggest they set up a "risk
fund" to 
collect insurance payments. I don't think the public should be asked to
pick 
up the tab for people that insist in building an a flood plain,
hurricane 
alley, tainted land or FUDS. Nor do I think they should be left swinging
in the 
breeze. They should be willing to pay for their choice. If insurance
companies 
are not willing to pick up the tab, or if the payments are too high,
find some 
other use for the land.

This is not offered as advice. Only an opinion.
dickboyd@aol.com

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