By @Dane Wadlé, Senior Public Affairs Field Coordinator - Sierra Network and @Richelle Noroyan, Public Affairs Field Coordinator - Coastal Network
On November 14, 2025, the CSDA Board of Directors approved affiliation agreements with two newly formed chapters, the Calaveras County Special Districts Association and the Special Districts Association of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties! There are now 29 CSDA affiliated chapters in California.
Both chapters had districts come forward to explore the possibility of forming a chapter in their respective areas. In Calaveras County, multiple districts introduced the idea of establishing a local chapter in March of 2025 to enhance their connection to CSDA and build better connections among the approximately 40 special districts in Calaveras County.
In Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, conversations to revive efforts from several years past occurred last year, culminating into forming a chapter this year. A pre-chapter meeting, attended by over 40 district leaders, with Assemblymember Gail Pellerin providing a keynote address, was the spark that led to creating the new chapter.
The Calaveras County Chapter elected the following individuals as the inaugural officers:
- President: Jessica Self, Union Public Utility District
- Vice-President: Kyle Harvey, Calaveras Consolidated Fire Protection District
- Secretary: Dana Nichols, San Andreas Fire Protection District
The Calaveras County Chapter plans to meet quarterly with the first meeting to take place in the 1st quarter of 2026. Please watch for additional meeting details.
The Santa Cruz and San Benito County Chapter elected the following individuals as the inaugural officers:
- President: Rachel Lather, Soquel Creek Water District
- Vice-President: Robert DeWitt, Santa Cruz Port District
- Secretary: Madison Koester, Sunnyslope County Water District
- Treasurer: Sarah Mansergh, Pajaro Dunes Geologic Hazard Abatement District
- Member at Large: Chief Mark Bigham, Boulder Creek Fire Protection District
The Santa Cruz and San Benito County Chapter plans to meet bi-annually with the first meeting to take place in the Spring of 2026. Please watch for additional meeting details.
Congratulations to both new Chapters!
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