State law dictates LAFCO composition. In Santa Clara County, LAFCO is composed of seven commissioners:
- Two County Supervisors appointed by the Board of Supervisors
- One Council Member from the City of San Jose appointed by the City Council
- One Council Member from any of the other cities appointed by the Cities Selection Committee
- Two Board Members from independent special districts – one appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, one appointed by the Independent Special District Selection Committee
- One Public Member appointed by the other members of the Commission
Alternate commissioners are appointed for each of the categories.
State law provides that LAFCO commissioners must exercise independent judgment and represent the interests of the public as a whole in furthering the purposes of LAFCO and not solely the interests of their appointing authority.
