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Spreckels, CA—Special districts in Monterey County and across the state recognized Assemblymember Robert Rivas (AD-30) as their State Legislator of the Year at an event held at Spreckels Veterans Memorial Hall, operated by the Spreckels Memorial District, featuring local leaders from throughout the region. Assemblymember Rivas was honored for his steadfast support for the local service specialists responsible for providing water, sanitation, veterans’ services, fire protection, parks, healthcare and other essential services and infrastructure to communities throughout California.

The recognition is awarded annually by the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) and was presented Friday by CSDA Board Past President Vince Ferrante. In presenting the award, Past President Ferrante, who is also a Moss Landing Harbor District Commissioner, stated, “We are so fortunate to have a legislator who understands the value that special districts bring to a community and is responsive to them in so many ways.” He added, “I want to thank Assemblymember Rivas for his support for the $100 million State Budget allocation for independent special districts’ funding relief – Moss Landing Harbor District received $329,000 from this fund, which will help the district greatly to improve our infrastructure throughout the Harbor.”

Last year, Assemblymember Rivas signed onto a bipartisan letter from 46 legislators urging Governor Gavin Newsom to extend COVID-19 relief funding access to special districts. This effort resulted in a $100 million allocation in the state budget for independent special district funding for their pandemic-related impacts. In Assembly District 30, 12 independent special districts received a total of more than $3.1 million in relief funding for their COVID-19 impacts (see attached). These essential service providers and the communities they serve would have been left out if not for this important fund that Assemblymember Rivas was instrumental in securing.

 Assemblymember Rivas was also helpful to special districts during the pandemic by authoring CSDA-sponsored Assembly Bill 361, which was signed into law as urgency legislation to allow local agencies to conduct remote board meetings during declared emergencies in a safe and accessible manner. This legislation has been critical for special districts and other forms of local government to continue to meet remotely during the pandemic, while providing the public with opportunities for participation in these virtual proceedings.

 The award was also presented to Rivas as he and his office have been highly accessible to special districts in AD-30. His staff regularly attends the quarterly meetings of the local CSDA chapter, providing information to members and hearing concerns raised by special district representatives.

“I want to express my gratitude to California Special Districts Association,” said Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), “for the work that the organization has done in service to our communities. The 1,300+ special districts that CSDA represents ensure that our most vulnerable residents receive health care, clean drinking water, transportation, and other vital services, even during a major pandemic. I am humbled to be recognized as one of their State Legislators of the Year and look forward to working together with CSDA on future projects.”

Spreckels Memorial District General Manager Paul Ingram applauded Rivas for his efforts on behalf of special districts to secure funding for pandemic-related needs. “Our district was heavily impacted by the loss of facility rental income during COVID-19, and we had counted on this revenue source to help pay for a portion of the full ADA bathroom remodel in Spreckels Memorial Park. The $33,815 we received from the $100 million independent special districts relief fund allowed us to complete this important project for our community, which makes our facilities accessible to all visitors to our park. We can’t thank Assemblymember Rivas enough for his role in securing these funds for a small special district within his legislative district.”

 Pete Delgado, CEO of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, praised the selection of Rivas for the honor. “District hospitals including Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System appreciate the great working relationship we have with Assemblymember Robert Rivas. As a representative of our community and as an elected official we thank him for his willingness to work with hospitals to preserve much needed access to healthcare.”

 Greenfield Public Recreation District Board President David Kong said, “On behalf of the Greenfield Public Recreation District, I want to thank Assemblymember Robert Rivas for his support to provide COVID-19 relief funding for independent special districts like ours. Our park district was closed to the public due to the pandemic for 15 months. We lost a tremendous amount of money from public entry fees and picnic area reservations.  Even when the park was closed, we had ongoing fixed costs like employees, utilities, and other maintenance costs. Due to his efforts, our special district received $36,406 dollars in COVID-19 relief funding.  This money will help us get out of our budget deficit and make some improvements in our park. Thank you Assemblymember Rivas and staff!”

 Soledad-Mission Recreation District Executive Director Frances Bengston called the relief funding a “lifeline” for the district. “Our main facility remained closed during much of the pandemic in an effort to maintain fiscal responsibility and adhere to shelter in place and tiered guidelines. Because of this financial assistance, the District has been able to invest in sustainability and the future of the District in order to better serve our community…without the COVID-19 relief dollars, these projects and tasks would have been very difficult for a small special district to invest in when the District has prioritized providing services for the last 60 years.” 

CSDA and special districts across the state invite state legislative representatives and the public to get to know the special district leaders who provide essential services to local communities. The Association launched a public outreach campaign titled “Districts Make the Difference” to connect people with the special districts that help California thrive. Additional information can be found at: www.districtsmakethedifference.org.

California’s communities are served by just over 2,000 independent special districts. These local governments are led by a board of directors that are elected or appointed to a fixed term to serve diverse communities and regions throughout the state.

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Special Districts in Assembly District 30 Receiving Funding from the

$100 Million Independent Special District Allocation in the 2021-22 State Budget

Asm. Robert Rivas, center, is flanked by special district officials and local leaders from throughout Assembly District 30
at an event honoring his selection as CSDA’s Legislator of the Year held at Spreckels Veterans Memorial Building.