What is a CSD?
The CSD was formed pursuant to Resolution 95-03 by the Local Agency
Formation Commission (LAFCO) of the County of Calaveras, State of
California and pursuant to sections 56000 and 61000 et seq. of the
California Government Code.
Our authority for performing governmental services is pursuant to
California Government Code Section 61600 and such other services as the
State Legislature may authorize the District to provide. The specific
services to be provided and the manner in which they provided, are to be
determined by the Community Services District Board of Directors.
Services may include, but are not limited to, collection or disposal of
storm water; collection or disposal of garbage or other refuse;
protection against fire including weed abatement; mosquito abatement;
street lighting; police department or other police protection, including
restricting access to streets; maintaining libraries; maintaining,
opening and surfacing streets; construction and improvement of culverts,
gutters, drains, storage ponds and wetlands habitats; conversion of
overhead electrical and communications facilities to underground
locations; to contract for ambulance services; to provide transportation
services; to abate graffiti; and provide for public recreation,
including tennis courts, playgrounds, golf courses, swimming pools, or
recreation buildings.
As with all governmental agencies, CSD activities are governed by the
Brown Act.
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At the time of inception of a housing area, its developer must
determine how the community – its roads, street lights, drainage
systems, common landscaping, etc. will be maintained. In general, there
are two options: a homeowners association or community services
district.
In most cases, a homeowners association ("HOA") is formed. It
is staffed by a board elected by its membership and is funded solely by
membership dues. The association is responsible for collecting the
dues and must find ways to enforce payment in the event of
delinquencies. The primary function of a homeowners association is to
enforce the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (“CC&Rs) for the
development and in cases of non-compliance, the HOA must resort to
private legal action, funded by member dues.
A community services district (“CSD”) is very different. It is an
official governmental agency, authorized by the State of California and
operates like a city government. Its board members are elected by
registered voters within the services district boundaries and just as a
city council, a CSD can pass and enforce laws, set speed limits and
annex land.
A CSD supports its districts infrastructure such as road maintenance,
street lighting, weed and mosquito abatement, storm drains, etc. through
an annual property tax assessment on each lot within the district, or
through some other appropriate funding mechanisms, such as governmental
bonds. Taxes are collected by the County, which can place a tax lien
against a property and eventually take possession, in the event of
delinquency.
A community services district also has the authority to assess usage
fees and, with voter approval, levy additional property taxes. If the
voting community desires, the CSD can increase taxes or raise a bond to
fund libraries, parks, community centers, etc.
Thus, a CSD is much more powerful, and therefore much more complex
than a homeowner’s association. In fact, a CSD can assume the
responsibilities of an existing homeowners association, should that
association cease to exist.
What is CSD Property?
The Saddle Creek Community Services District property includes our
The CSD has nothing to do with the operation of the
Additionally, although not technically a CSD function, Greg Hebard
and his staff is assisting Castle & Cooke in actively enforcing the
Construction Site rules. All sites are required to post the site rules,
and all new sites are required to sign an acknowledgement of those rules
prior to beginning construction. Violations will result in warnings
and/or fines.
Background
Saddle Creek’s original developers, Hass & Haney set up the
development as a Community Services District which was formally
authorized in the summer of 1995. Castle & Cooke took over Saddle Creek
in 1999, with the original owners remaining as partners in only the golf
course.
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors acted as the initial CSD
Board of Directors, with the developers acting as consultants to the
Board.
In 1999, the County commissioned Strong & Associates to analyze the
costs of maintaining the Saddle Creek development. The results of that
analysis were published in what is known as the “Strong Report” which
should have been provided to all lot owners by Castle & Cooke. Copies of
the Report can be obtained from Castle & Cooke.
The Strong Report determined that an annual property tax of $750 on
subdivided lots would be sufficient to maintain Saddle Creek. Based on
this Report, a special election was held on May 23, 2000 and the voters
approved Measure D which implemented a $750 annual tax on subdivided
lots and a $1 annual tax on un-subdivided parcels, beginning January
2001.
The first locally elected CSD Board took office in January 2002. In
order to ensure a measure of continuity, approximately one half of the
board members are up for re-election at a time. Board Members are by
statute, paid a stipend of $100 per agendized meeting. Any other time
spent by the Board Members on CSD business is uncompensated.
