Service Reviews

A service review is a comprehensive review of municipal services within a designated geographic area conducted to: (1) obtain information about the services; (2) evaluate the provision of services from a comprehensive perspective; and (3) recommend actions to promote the efficient provision of those services.

LAFCO of Santa Clara County has completed its first and second round of service reviews and will be commencing the third round of service reviews.

Third Round

LAFCO adopted a work plan for LAFCO’s third round of Service Reviews and Sphere of Influence Updates  using the following structure and priorities (listed from highest priority to lowest priority):

  1. Special Study of Rancho Rinconada Recreation & Park District
  2. Countywide Fire Service Review
  3. Countywide Water and Wastewater Service Review
  4. Special Districts Service Review
  5. Cities Service Review
Second Round Service Reviews

The second round of service reviews were conducted between 2009 and 2015. The second round focused on collecting more detailed information; identifying and analyzing issues related to public accountability, transparency, and service efficiency and effectiveness; providing recommendations to address these issues; raising public awareness about potential solutions to these issues and working with agencies to implement recommendations.

First Round Service Reviews

The first round of services reviews were conducted from 2003 through 2007 and focused on developing relationships with cities and special districts, collecting basic information on the various agencies and developing accurate maps for special districts.

Did You Know?

The Cortese Knox Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act (CKH Act) mandates that LAFCO conduct service reviews prior to or in conjunction with sphere of influence updates and requires that LAFCO review and update the sphere of influence of each city and special district, every five years, as necessary. [Government Code § 56425 and § 56430].

Implementation Model

LAFCO encourages and monitors the implementation of service review recommendations.

  1. LAFCO compiles recommendations from service review report

  2. LAFCO sends letter to agencies requesting written responses on:

    • How agency plans to implement recommendations
    • What is the timeline for implementation
    • Explanation if agency does not plan to implement

  3. Agencies report back to LAFCO on their progress

  4. LAFCO considers next steps and determines if further action is needed