Blogs

Utah's first-of-its-kind water reclamation facility transforms toilet water into water plants crave

By Kristin Withrow posted 2 days ago
This article was originally published on January 21, 2026 by Chris Reed at Fox 13 Salt Lake City. LA VERKIN, Utah — A groundbreaking $51 million water reclamation facility is about to transform how southern Utah handles wastewater. The Confluence Park Water Reclamation Facility represents 20 years of planning and construction, and it's the first of its kind in Utah. "As a child, I always wanted to be a marine biologist. But I also wanted to live here. So those two things don't work together very well," said Bradley Johnson, who grew up in Hurricane and La Verkin and now works at the facility. Johnson said he never intends to leave the area because ...

The Great Boss Factor

By Kristin Withrow posted 3 days ago
By Kristin Withrow, Sr. Communications Specialist, CSDA Employee commitment is not a buzzword for Joe Mull - it's his life's work. As an Employee Commitment Expert, author, and sought-after keynote speaker, Mull has spent years studying what draws people to an organization, the factors that convince them to stay, and what inspires them to stay tapped in with their best effort in the long term. As the CSDA General Manager Leadership Summit keynote speaker in 2026 , we are excited to bring his research-back insights, relatable storytelling style and practical tips to conference attendees this year. The Great Boss Factor is keenly relevant for special ...

CA Park District launches 2026 Trails Challenge: Program encourages locals to revisit parks and explore new ones

By Kristin Withrow posted 6 days ago
This article was originally published by Jen Vanya at the Tri-City Voice on January 6, 2026. On Jan. 1, 2026, the East Bay Regional Park District launched the 2026 Trails Challenge—the program’s 33rd annual edition—inviting the public to explore trails that show off the region’s stunning natural beauty. Individuals interested in the program can pick up a free guidebook and T-shirt at any East Bay Regional Parks visitor center, while supplies last. The guidebook can also be downloaded at ebparks.org/trailschallenge . A Spanish edition will be available online and in visitor centers in mid-January. “The East Bay Regional Parks Trails Challenge is ...

Grants Update: Week of February 16, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 6 days ago
Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support the provision of clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage for households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding will help eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for the funding agency's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are most state and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and federally ...

Future-Proofing Your District: Technology Planning for Board Members and Trustees

By Morgan Leskody posted 6 days ago
By @Ammon Becar , Senior Strategic Advisor, VC3 As a board member or trustee of a special district, you play a pivotal role in ensuring that appropriate IT resources are allocated to prevent cybersecurity threats or operational disruptions from affecting critical services. With technology and cybersecurity evolving so fast, it’s difficult to sift through the noise—what matters, and what doesn’t. Limited budgets mean you need to maximize funds and not waste dollars on unnecessary technology. This article shares some ways that you can futureproof your district by understanding technology trends, strengthening your strategic IT planning, ensuring your special ...

Take Action Month: Week 3 - Six Tips for Earned Media Success

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: Bill Romanelli While the news media has changed drastically in recent years, it remains one of the most powerful tools special districts have for telling their stories, highlighting the pros or cons of policy proposals, keeping a high profile with their elected representatives, and reaching their communities. That said, getting coverage can be a challenge. With so much competition, you need to do all you can to make your news stand out. These six tips can help stack the odds in your favor. Curate a list of reporters in your area. The goal is to have a real person or two you can share news with, rather than emailing “ news@.... ” and hoping for ...

North Douglas County Fire & EMS Receives Two Grants (OR)

By Kristin Withrow posted 8 days ago
This article was originally published on January 21, 2026 by KQEN News Radio North Douglas County Fire & EMS has been awarded two grants through the Oregon Emergency Management State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment program. A release from the agency said the funding will strengthen the department’s emergency response and rescue capabilities. The first grant provided funding for Holmatro battery operated rescue tools, which will enhance vehicle extrication operations. These modern tools improve responder safety, reduce set-up time, and allow crews to operate more efficiently during rescue incidents. The second grant funded an Unmanned ...

Camarillo Health Care District’s Dementia Specialty, Adult Day Center and Caregiver Center Offer a Lifeline to Families

By Morgan Leskody posted 10 days ago
By Michelle Rogers, Community Services Manager, Camarillo Health Care District. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend living with dementia. As specialists in Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias, Camarillo Health Care District understands the challenges and adjustments families experience while living with this diagnosis. In the role of family caregiver, making decisions about such things as daily care, home safety and wandering, difficult behaviors, or the timing of other hard decisions, can be overwhelming. So, that’s why the district has ...

Take Action Month: Week 2 - You Can’t Blame Your Legislators if You Don’t Inform Them

By Morgan Leskody posted 10 days ago
By @Kyle Packham Your elected representatives WANT to hear from you. Representing the interests of their constituents (that means you and the residents in your district) is the most important part of their job. They need to have a working understanding of what those interests are. That’s especially important when legislators are asked to vote on bills that can impact how special districts operate and provide essential services. You have the authority to lobby the State Legislature on matters of interest to your district. Given that you also represent hundreds – if not thousands – of your legislators’ constituents, yours can be a powerful voice in convincing ...

Grants Update: Week of February 9, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 10 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of the Interior FY 2026 Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program: National Groundwater Monitoring Network WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support data providers for the National Groundwater Monitoring Network (NGWMN) by connecting new data providers to the network and supporting existing data providers to maintain persistent data service and to enhance the NGWMN. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are state, county, city, township, and special district governments; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments that collect groundwater ...

Call for CSDA Board Nominations, Seat C

By Morgan Leskody posted 15 days ago
The Elections and Bylaws Committee is looking for Independent Special District Board Members or their General Managers who are interested in leading the direction of the California Special Districts Association for the 2027 - 2029 term. The leadership of CSDA is elected from its six geographical networks. Each of the six networks has three seats on the Board with staggered 3-year terms. Candidates must be affiliated with an independent special district that is a CSDA Regular Member in good standing and located within the geographic network that they seek to represent. (View CSDA Network Map) The CSDA Board of Directors is the governing body responsible ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of February 2, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 17 days ago
House and Senate Action The House and Senate are both in session this week. House House members return to Washington this week to continue their negotiations aimed at reopening the federal government following a lapse in funding that triggered a partial shutdown over the weekend. Lawmakers are expected to ease back into the legislative session by first considering a slate of noncontroversial bills focused on improving veterans’ benefits, employment readiness, and access to care before turning to the Senate-passed funding package. Senate Across Capitol Hill, the Senate will focus on nominations, while negotiations continue behind the scenes ...

Welcome New Members!

By Morgan Leskody posted 17 days ago
Welcome New Members! Recently, the CSDA Board of Directors moved to approve the latest agencies and Business Affiliates that joined CSDA. Please welcome: Digital Magnet Group Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Fenton & Keller Amador County Transportation Commission Rec Technologies Rock Solid Options Orange County Housing Finance Trust Archer Public Affairs LLC Baldwin Group Baker Manock & Jensen PC New and old members alike...are you maximizing your membership? Check out the following resources to ensure you're getting the most out of CSDA. Member Benefits CSDA Magazine RFP Clearinghouse Buyers Guide ...

2026 Local Agency Investment Guidelines

By Morgan Leskody posted 17 days ago
@Lilia Hernandez In 1981, the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission (CDIAC) was established through Assembly Bill 1192, to serve as the state’s central clearinghouse for public finance information, initially focused on debt. They later expanded to support state and local government agencies with effective issuance, monitoring, and management of public debt and the safe investment of public funds in 1996. The CDIAC developed the Local Agency Investment Guidelines to assist local agencies, as defined by the CA Government Code Section 53600, with the implementation of existing laws for investments of public funding. Annually, staff collaborate ...

February is TAKE ACTION Month: Week 1 – Forging Legislative Relationships

By Morgan Leskody posted 17 days ago
It’s going to be a busy legislative and regulatory season again in 2026. Specific issues such as CARB’s Advanced Clean Fleet Rules and legislation related to governance, public works, and infrastructure will be critical for CSDA members, while broader legislative priorities around local control, protecting local revenue, housing infrastructure, and public funding will be important to all special districts and the communities they serve. CSDA will be leading the charge on these issues, and competition for the attention of legislators and policymakers is going to as challenging as ever – especially in an election year. That’s why it is so vital for special districts ...

CSDA Co-Sponsors Small Special District Audit Legislation

By Morgan Leskody posted 17 days ago
By @Marcus Detwiler CSDA, in partnership with the State Association of County Auditors, is co-sponsoring legislation to preserve adaptive financial reporting requirements for small special districts. Following the passage of CSDA-sponsored Assembly Bill 2613 (Achadjian, 2015) , special districts with annual revenues not in excess of $150,000 were permitted to utilize an alternative financial report, an agreed-upon procedures engagement, in lieu of a costlier financial audit. AB 2613 permitted these alternative reporting procedures until January 1, 2027. Absent any legislative intervention, smaller special districts would lose access to agreed-upon procedures ...

Grants Update: Week of February 2, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of the Interior FY 2026 Slip-on Tanker Units WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to develop and implement a pilot program to provide local governments with financial assistance to acquire slip-on tanker units to establish fleets of vehicles that can be quickly converted to be operated as fire engines. This program will provide funding for the slip-on tanker units. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are county, borough, municipality, city, town, township, parish, and special district governments; local public authorities; school districts; intrastate ...

Grants Update: Week of January 26, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 24 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support low-income communities that face significant health risks resulting from the lack of access to, or the use of, adequate and affordable water or waste disposal services. Funding will support projects that will build basic drinking water and waste disposal systems, including systems to handle stormwater drainage. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are state and local governments that serve eligible ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of January 26, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 24 days ago
House and Senate Action The Senate is the only chamber in session this week. Senate The Senate convened this afternoon, a day later than planned due to the snow and ice storm affecting much of the region. Lawmakers will focus primarily on averting a partial government shutdown ahead of the end-of-week funding deadline (more on this below). Shutdown Risk Grows as Senate Takes Up Funding Package With the January 30 government funding deadline just days away, Congress enters a pivotal week as attention shifts to the Senate and the fate of a six-bill appropriations package advanced by the House late last week. The House cleared its final round ...

New water tunnels under Lake Travis provide a lifeline for 3 Williamson County cities (TX)

By Kristin Withrow posted 24 days ago
People walk past construction equipment in a tunnel being built underneath Lake Travis by the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority. This article was originally published by Kut News on January 8, 2026 by Kailey Hunt The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority has reached a major milestone in the construction of its new water delivery system. All of the project's underground components, including two 11-foot-wide tunnels located underneath Lake Travis, have been completed. "The underground work, the mining, the lining of the tunnels, is all now complete, aside from minor touch ups," Aaron Archer, senior vice president at the civil engineering ...