One or more service zones to provide different levels of service, to provide different facilities or other improvements, or to raise additional revenues within specific areas of the district, may be created within the boundaries of the district. A service zone may consist of one or more cities, with or without unincorporated territory, or unincorporated territory alone.
Sonoma-marin Area Rail Transit DistrictService Zones
Section § 105300
This law allows for the creation of service zones within a district to offer different service levels, facilities, or improvements, and to generate extra revenue in specific parts of the district. These zones can include one or more cities, with or without unincorporated areas, or solely unincorporated areas.
service zones district boundaries different service levels
Section § 105301
This law outlines the process for creating a service zone, which can be started by the city or county legislative bodies through a formal resolution. If a service zone will include any unincorporated areas, the county's board of supervisors must also pass a resolution. These resolutions must state that forming the service zone is in the public interest, define its boundaries, and formally request its creation. If an entire public agency is to be included, its name can be used to describe the area. Certified copies of these resolutions must be filed with the district's secretary.
(a)CA Public Utilities Code § 105301(a) Proceedings for the creation of a service zone may be initiated by resolution of the legislative body or bodies of the city or cities proposed to be included in the service zone, and if unincorporated territory is proposed to be included in the service zone, by resolution of the board or boards of supervisors of the county or counties in which the unincorporated territory is situated.
(b)CA Public Utilities Code § 105301(b) The resolution or resolutions shall declare that the public interest or necessity
demands the creation of a service zone, shall describe its boundaries, and shall request the formation of the service zone.
(c)CA Public Utilities Code § 105301(c) When the entire area of a public agency is to be included in the service zone, it may be described by name.
(d)CA Public Utilities Code § 105301(d) Certified copies of the resolution or resolutions shall be filed with the secretary of the district.
service zone creation legislative resolution unincorporated territory
Section § 105302
In California, instead of starting the process to form a service zone by a resolution, voters can file a petition with the district's secretary. This petition needs signatures from at least 25% of the area's registered voters, based on registration affidavits. The petition must clearly outline the boundaries of the proposed service zone. If the entire public agency area is included, it can be identified by name.
The petition should state that creating a service zone is in the public interest or necessary. It can consist of multiple documents, but each must have an affidavit from the circulator confirming the authenticity of the signatures.
(a)CA Public Utilities Code § 105302(a) As an alternative to the initiation of proceedings for the formation of a service zone by resolution or resolutions, a petition may be filed with the secretary of the district signed by voters equal in number to at least 25 percent of the registered voters registered within the proposed service zone as determined from the affidavits of registration. The boundaries of the proposed service zone shall be described in the petition. When the entire area of a public agency is to be included in the service zone, it may be described by
name.
(b)CA Public Utilities Code § 105302(b) The petition shall declare that the public interest or necessity demands the creation of a service zone within the area of the district described in the petition. The petition may include one or more separate documents, but each document shall contain the affidavit of the party who circulated it, certifying that each name signed thereto is the true signature of the person whose name it purports to be.
service zone formation petition filing voter signatures
Section § 105303
This section requires the district secretary to check the signatures on a petition against the voter registration records held by the county. The secretary must then confirm whether the petition has enough valid signatures or not.
The secretary of the district shall compare the signatures in the petition with the affidavits of registration on file with the county election official. The secretary of the district also shall certify to the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petition.
signature comparison petition verification voter registration records
Section § 105304
This section outlines the process for creating a new service zone within a district. Once a petition or resolution is received, the board has 30 days to start the formation process by passing a resolution. This resolution must include details such as the boundaries of the zone, the specific services to be provided, how they will be funded, the reasons for creating the zone, and a proposed name. A public hearing must be scheduled, and notice of this hearing must be published in local newspapers, mailed to property owners, and posted publicly. During the hearing, the board listens to any objections and can decide to proceed with forming the service zone after considering these.
(a)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a) Within 30 days after receipt of the resolution or resolutions of the legislative body or bodies or receipt of the certification of the sufficiency of a petition by the secretary of the district, the board shall initiate proceedings for the formation of a new service zone by adopting a resolution that does all of the following:
(1)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a)(1) States that formation of a service zone has been initiated pursuant to either Section 105301 or 105302.
(2)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a)(2) Sets forth a description of the boundaries of the territory to be included in the service zone.
(3)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a)(3) States the different services, different levels of service, or additional revenues that the service zone will provide.
(4)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a)(4) Sets forth the methods by which those services or levels of service will be financed.
(5)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a)(5) States the reasons for forming the service zone.
(6)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a)(6) Proposes a name or number for the service zone.
(7)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(a)(7) Fixes the date, time, and place for the public hearing regarding the formation of the service zone.
(b)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(b) The district shall publish notice of the
hearing, including the information required by subdivision (a), pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code, in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the district. The district shall mail the notice to all owners of property within the proposed service zone. The district shall post the notice in at least three public places within the territory of the proposed service zone.
(c)CA Public Utilities Code § 105304(c) At the hearing, the board shall hear and consider any protests to the formation of the service zone. At the conclusion of the hearing, the board may adopt a resolution ordering the formation of the service zone.
service zone formation district board responsibilities public hearing process
Section § 105305
This law allows the board to either change the borders of a service zone or completely dissolve it by using the steps outlined in another legal section, specifically Section 105301.
The board may change the boundaries of a service zone or dissolve a zone by following the procedures in Section 105301.
service zone boundaries zone dissolution board authority
Section § 105306
This law states that local agency formation commissions cannot review, approve, or reject proposals about creating, changing, or dissolving service zones. They don't have the authority to oversee these kinds of proposals.
A local agency formation commission shall have no power or duty to review and approve or disapprove a proposal to create a service zone, a proposal to change the boundaries of a zone, or a proposal to dissolve a zone.
local agency formation commission service zone boundary changes
Section § 105307
This law allows a service zone to offer any service that the district can provide. The level of service within the zone's boundaries is decided by the board.
As determined by the board, a service zone may provide any service at any level within its boundaries that the district may provide.
service zone district services service level
Section § 105308
This law section states that a service zone can use the same financial powers within its area as the district can, as long as it's approved by the board and follows the rules set out in this part.
As determined by the board and pursuant to the requirements of this part, a service zone may exercise any fiscal powers within its boundaries that the district may exercise.
service zone fiscal powers financial authority
Section § 105309
This law states that any taxes or fees meant to support services in a specific area, called a zone, must only be collected from that zone.
Any taxes, special taxes, assessments, or fees which are intended solely for the support of services within a zone shall be levied, assessed, and collected only within the boundaries of the zone.
zone-specific taxes special taxes zone boundaries
Section § 105310
The board can set up advisory groups made up of local residents or property owners to help run a service zone.
To assist in the operation of a service zone, the board may appoint one or more advisory groups composed of persons who reside in or own property in the zone.
service zone operation advisory groups board appointments
