John Gaccione

Subject: Reorganization Revisited
Date: 05/27/2022
From: The Memo Desk

Recently the Kensington Property Owners Association hosted their Annual Membership meeting. What was unusual about the meeting was it kicked off an educational campaign for district reorganization. Haven’t we heard this pitch before?

Discussing the complexities of the reorganization process were Lou Ann Texeira, Executive Officer LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission), Richard Berkson, economic consultant to special districts on financial and economic plans, along with County Supervisor John Gioia.

The lure of reorganization is the hope it could streamline our small community’s governance, namely the Kensington Fire Protection District and the Kensington Police Protection Community & Service District. The theory is by combining the districts it could reduce duplication of staff positions, provide more efficient governance and result in significant cost savings.

Reorganization and consolidation are different processes. For reorganization the KPPCSD would ask LAFCO to annex the KFPD and then dissolve the KFPD. KPPCSD would then assume fire service duties. With consolidation both districts would request LAFCO to create a new district and dissolve the old districts. Without in-depth studies and financial analysis (50K-100K) the schemes remain theoretical. There are several other ways to merge the districts but all the schemes are not simple, quick nor inexpensive.

As Ms. Texeira and Mr. Berkson repeatedly pointed out, each process can be lengthy, complicated and has many caveats. For example, litigation & environmental issues can delay the process. And while both districts’ boundaries are very similar they are not identical, a civil engineering survey of both district’s boundaries could be required.

Kensington seems to have eyes bigger than its stomach. Folks demand top quality fire service, police protection, local governance and recreational opportunities they can’t seem to afford. In the past, some folks didn’t have a problem with exorbitant legal fees caused by undisciplined police officers. Yet ironically, they loudly objected to the expense of hiring an experienced general manager. (…humph)

Reorganization may or may not benefit Kensington, it’s a gamble. If we are going to gamble maybe creating a casino in Kensington would make more sense. Can I get another card?

“The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” (John Kenneth Galbraith)

Note: This memo has not been approved by the KPOA and may contain a hint of satire.