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Revision as of 21:22, 30 December 2009
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level. The Association’s long-term objective is to significantly improve the fiscal health of all California counties – from Alpine County with a little more than 1,200 people to Los Angeles County with more than 10 million – so they can adequately meet the demand for vital public programs and services. CSAC also places a strong emphasis on educating the public about the value and need for county programs and services. [1].
History
Since California's first 27 counties were created by the State Legislature in 1850, county supervisors have come together to discuss state and federal legislation. For years, these meetings were informal and irregular. But in 1895, a formal statewide organization called the County Boards of Supervisors Association of California was organized. In 1911, the Association's first constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the organization has been a strong factor in California ever since, serving as the voice of California Counties. The name was later changed to the County Supervisors Association of California. And in 1991, the Association again changed its name to the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) to better reflect the broad base of programs and services that counties provide to the public and CSAC provides to its 58 member counties. [2].
Toward the end of the 1930s, it became clear to California's counties that a more professional, organized association was necessary. Solutions to issues facing county government were only going to be realized with a permanent office and staff in Sacramento. could only County government problems demanded solutions which could only be realized by the establishment of a permanent office and staff in Sacramento. In response, the Association opened its first offices in Sacramento. Today, CSAC's offices are located one block from the State Capitol at 1100 K Street (see map)[1]. The CSAC Conference Center is located across the street from Association headquarters. [3].
More information on CSAC can be found at http://www.csac.counties.org.
Leadership
CSAC is governed by a 62-member Board of Directors and 15-member Executive Committee including the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and Immediate Past President. The Board delegates day-to-day policy and oversight functions to the Executive Committee, which includes the four annually elected officers and board members selected by each caucus (urban, suburban and rural counties). Each year, the presidency rotates among the three caucuses, ensuring cross-representation of all counties as all three caucuses are always represented in CSAC leadership. CSAC’s Executive Director is Paul McIntosh. [4].
CSAC Officers for 2010 -- President, Tony Oliveira, Kings County; First Vice President, John Tavaglione, Riverside County; Second Vice President, Mike McGowan, Yolo County; Immediate Past President, Gary Wyatt, Imperial County
CSAC Board of Directors -- 62 members comprised of oe county supervisor from each of the 58 counties and CSAC's four officers.
CSAC Executive Committee -- 15 members comprised of six urban county supervisors, three suburban county supervisors, two rural county supervisors and CSAC's four officers.
The CSAC legislative platform is formulated by five policy committees consisting of county supervisors. Policy committees cover the following areas: Administration of Justice; Agriculture & Natural Resources, Government Finance & Operations; Health & Human Services, and Housing, Land Use & Transportation. [5].
Advocacy
CSAC continues to be a strong and effective voice for California counties in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C., before the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The issues that CSAC, as the voice of California counties, is confronting are enormous; their outcomes have the potential of permanently changing the landscape of California government and the delivery of services to 38.5 million residents.
These major issues include the state budget, health-care reform and corrections reform, transportation funding, water and climate change. Throughout discussion on each of these key areas, CSAC has been – and will continue to be – the voice of California counties. The Association’s relationships with key leaders in the Legislature and Governor’s administration have given California counties an important seat at the table.
In Washington, D.C., CSAC has not only taken California’s message to Capitol Hill, but has also been influential in the development of the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) legislative platform. Furthermore, through CSAC’s strong support of Supervisor Valerie Brown, who is now serving as NACo President, California is playing a leading role in the national association. CSAC has also been able to develop strong relationships with the White House, which has a growing understanding of California county issues and concerns.
Education
Education and training continue to be a major focus of CSAC. In 2009, CSAC launched the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government to provide professional, practical continuing education for county elected officials and senior staff. CSAC has partnered with USC, CSU Sacramento and the Institute for Local Government to ensure we are providing the best faculty and course materials. Through its first year, the Institute has offered 28 courses overall, and another 17 courses are planned for the winter/spring of 2010. Hundreds of county supervisors and senior staff have already taken courses and are moving toward a credential. The Institute awarded its first four credentials to county officials in November 2009. More information on the CSAC Institute can be found at http://www.csacinstitute.org.
At the Association’s Annual Meeting in November, the agenda contained a number of key workshops on issues of interest to county officials, ranging from defined benefits and green energy programs, to reform and social networking. Major sessions provided insightful keynote presentations, and our policy committees and board of directors adopted principles on reform that will help the Association navigate the current and future maze of reform initiatives and ideas that will confront CSAC and California Counties.
Beyond the Annual Meeting, which rotates between a northern and southern California county each year, CSAC holds legislative conference in Sacramento in the spring.
CSAC Finance Corporation
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) formed the CSAC Finance Corporation in 1986 to offer municipal finance services to counties and to private entities that provide significant public benefit to the residents of counties.
A year later, the CSAC Finance Corporation and the League of California Cities created Joint Powers Authority of counties and cities, called the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA). This authority provides a broad range of financial products and services that promote the economic well-being of counties and cities. Then in 1999, the Finance Corporation and the League of California Cities established the U.S. Communities Purchasing and Finance Agency, which operates a nationwide local government purchasing cooperative.
Many of our programs are administered by CSCDA, commonly referred to as “California Communities.” By combining the volumes of counties and cities, California Communities is able to negotiate lower costs of issuance on its bond issues. The national cooperative purchasing program is administered by U.S. Communities which pools together the purchasing power of counties, cities and other government agencies to bid for national contract to provide significant savings to local government.
In addition to the many finance programs the CSAC Finance Corporation is able to make available through California Communities and U.S. Communities, there are other programs we are able to offer to counties. Included are an investment vehicle through the CalTRUST investment pool, deferred compensation plans through Nationwide Retirement Solutions, background screening through Employee Relations, energy and telecom cost recovery through Cost Control Associates, inmate medical claims management through Correctional Risk Services, and grants locating and management through eCivis.
At the same time, the Finance Corporation has been able to provide grants to CSAC to assist in the development and implementation of programs valuable to California’s counties, while helping to keep member dues down.
Since its inception, the Finance Corporation, in partnership with California Communities and US Communities, has constantly developed new products and services for CSAC member counties as well as other forms of local government. The Corporation will continue to anticipate the financial needs of California’s counties and work hard to meet them.
More information on the CSAC Finance Corporation can be found at http://www.csacfinancecorp.org.
References
- ^ California State Association of Counties' Web site, www.csac.counties.org
- ^ California State Association of Counties' Web site, www.csac.counties.org
- ^ California State Association of Counties' Web site, www.csac.counties.org
- ^ California State Association of Counties' Web site, www.csac.counties.org
- ^ California State Association of Counties' Web site, www.csac.counties.org