COMMUNITY FAQ’s

In the process of bringing continued transparency to the residents of Rancho Murieta from the RMCSD we are providing a question and answer section in the Pipeline which will also be repeated on our Website in the section called FAQ’S.

September 2022

COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICTS

1. What is a Special District?

· A special district is a local form of government that is created, funded and overseen by a community’s residents.

· CSD’s are formed to provide services in an unincorporated area of a county.

· There are many types of special districts that can be established to fit specific needs of a community.  Most  Districts provide one or possibly two services while Rancho Murieta provides five.

· Special District services can include: airports, cemeteries, fire protection, harbors and ports, libraries, mosquito and pest abatement, sanitation, water, sewage and drainage.  More than 32 services in all.

· There are 2000+ community service districts throughout California. They vary in size and may serve a community of thousands or only a few hundred. 

2. Why was RMCSD was formed ?

· In 1980 the RMA and MTI Associations were responsible for accessing water, sewer, drainage, solid waste removal and security for the community.

· The El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) in Placerville was providing the water and sewer services. There were costs and issues that led to discussions and the consideration of a Community Service District for Rancho Murieta.

· Sacramento County  Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) was contacted and the process for forming a CSD was completed.

· In 1982 Rancho Murieta Community Services District was formed and began providing water, sewer, drainage and solid waste pickup.

· In 1984 the developer (PTF through RMPI ) refused to continue paying for Security Services.  The District took over the responsibility. RMCSD is unique in being the only District in the State of California to provide in-house 24/7/365 security.

3. What is Measure J?

· As a result of Prop 218 (a California Constitutional Amendment) the District was required to change the way it received revenue from its customers for Drainage (Measure K) and Security (Measure J).

· Funding is required through special parcel taxes.  This funding was approved in 1998 by a 2/3rd majority vote of the community.

· At the time Measure J provided funds for security services that included:

*   24 hour gate operation

*   24 hour mobile patrol

*   Assistance to outside agencies

*   Assisting and registering guests

*   Fees were based on charges broken down by residential inside the gates and outside the gates. The fees are broken down further for non-residential, undeveloped property, metered and unmetered lots.

· There is a yearly cap of 2% on increases.

4. Why doesn’t Measure J fund Security?

· Measure J is not a mandate to provide Security services. It is a description of the services to be provided with the revenue anticipated at the time it was passed, and at that time it was anticipated that the revenue would be sufficient to operate a Security Department and provide that level of service. 24 years later, it is not enough to fund that 24/7 level of service. The money is just not enough, unless we  supplement it.

April 2022

RESERVOIR LEVELS

We understand that the Community is very interested in the levels of the Reservoirs, so we plan to update you monthly on those levels through the winter and spring. As March 16, 2022, all of the Reservoirs are full. The District is looking to add the stoplogs to the spill ways, which will effectively allow us to raise the level to the Reservoirs to their maximum capacity. We won’t be able to add these until April 15.

BUDGET AND RESERVES

This is the time of year when the Board and Staff are working to prepare the Communities Budget and Reserve Study. Your new Rate Notice will be delivered in Early April.

March 2022

RESERVOIR LEVELS

We understand that the Community is very interested in the levels of the Reservoirs, so we plan to update you monthly on those levels through the winter and spring. As March 2, 2022, all of the Reservoirs are full. The District is looking to add the stoplogs to the spill ways, which will effectively allow us to raise the level ot the Reservoirs to their maximum capacity.

February 2022

RESERVOIR LEVELS

We understand that the Community is very interested in the levels of the Reservoirs, so we plan to update you monthly on those levels through the winter and spring. As of January 19, 2022 we are pumping from the river and continue to pump daily (if possible) to fill the Reservoirs.  According to the data:

· Calero is 78% full

· Chesbro is 90% full

· Clementia is 100% full

The District can fill the Reservoirs from the Cosumnes River from November 1st until May 31st. The flow at Michigan Bar must be 70 cubic feet per second, and the water must be free from debris. You can monitor the flow at:

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv/?site_no=11335000

January 2022

RESERVOIR LEVELS

We understand that the Community is very interested in the levels of the Reservoirs, so we plan to update you monthly on those levels through the winter and spring. As of December 22, 2021, we are pumping from the river and have pumped 71 million gallons since November 1.  According the data:

· Calero is 60% full

· Chesbro is 94% full

· Clementia is 100% full

The District can fill the Reservoirs from the Cosumnes River from November 1st until May 31st. The flow at Michigan Bar must be 70 cubic feet per second. You can monitor the flow at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv/?site_no=11335000

LOST & FOUND

One of the services the Security Department provides is Lost and Found. Please turn in any found items to either of the gates, and let us know if you’re looking for something. A wide variety of items are stored at the gates, including telephones, keys, glasses, bicycles, clothing, blankets, etc.