The California Special Districts Association (CSDA) announced that it has signed an affiliation agreement with the Sonoma-Napa Bi-County Special Districts Association (SCSDA), expanding the existing Sonoma Chapter to Napa County.
The announcement comes as special districts within the Sonoma Chapter have been meeting with Napa County districts over the last six months to discuss membership. Citing a desire to enhance their connection across county lines, provide a space to discuss regional issues and foster greater governance, the new chapter was born. It is the hope that the new chapter will bring enhanced benefits to all members.
The newly formed Chapter will act as the voice of 40 independent special districts within Sonoma and 10 special districts Napa Counties, providing critical infrastructure and essential community services to residents across the two counties. Services provided by these districts include drinking water, wastewater treatment, healthcare, parks, fire protection, mosquito abatement, cemetery and resource conservation.
Upon learning the good news, Chapter President Ramona Faith, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Petaluma District and Foundation remarked, “The Chapter Executive Board and I are excited that CSDA approved the expansion of our affiliation to include Napa County. We are eager to work with Napa County districts to build the Chapter, provide a forum for networking, discuss like-minded issues and deliver valuable resources for all of our members.”
Affiliation with CSDA gives the Chapter access to a variety of additional services. Benefits include connections to top-notch speakers, professional development trainers, communication platforms and regular updates on legislation and advocacy programs in Sacramento and through the National Special Districts Coalition in Washington, D.C.
Neil McCormick, Chief Executive Officer for CSDA welcomed the newly expanded Chapter by saying, “Our Board of Directors is pleased that the Sonoma Chapter has chosen to include Napa County special districts within their membership. Napa districts will be well-served by having access to Chapter resources. CSDA staff and I look forward to this new avenue for helping special districts throughout the North Bay best serve their communities.”
The Sonoma-Napa Bi-County Special Districts Association is one of seven CSDA Affiliated Chapters in the Bay Area, with similar affiliates in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Marin, Santa Clara and Solano Counties. These are among twenty-seven CSDA Affiliated Chapters Statewide.
The first meeting for the new Sonoma-Napa Bi-County Special Districts Association will be held virtually on Thursday, June 25, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. and will take place on a quarterly basis. All special district officials are invited to attend. Please see additional information below.