DATE: November 18, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Waterworks District No. 41 Sphere of Influence Amendment and Annexation of County Service Area Zones 31C, 31D, 31F, and 31G
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt a Resolution authorizing submittal of a Sphere of Influence Amendment and Annexation Application to the Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission for Waterworks District No. 41, incorporating County Service Area Zones 31C, 31D, 31F, and 31G and authorizing the Director of Public Works and Planning, or his/her designee, to execute and submit all required applications and supporting documents to Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission and to act on behalf of the County during the proceedings.
REPORT
The Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) is proposing a 668.13-acre expansion of the Sphere of Influence (SOI) and a 668.13-acre annexation of lands to Waterworks District No. 41 (WWD 41), encompassing the County Service Area (CSA) Zones 31C, 31D, 31F, and 31G. These zones are already receiving water and/or sewer services from WWD 41, and the proposed action will formally integrate them into the district’s boundaries while improving operational efficiency and service management.
The recommended action will direct the Department to initiate proceedings with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for the SOI Amendment and Annexation of CSA Zones 31C, 31D, 31F, and 31G into WWD 41, and will authorize the Director of Public Works and Planning, or his/her designee, to execute and submit all required applications and supporting documents to LAFCo and to act on behalf of the County during the proceedings. This item pertains to a location in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board elects not to proceed with the SOI Amendment and Annexation, the Department would need to maintain separate administrative structures for the CSA zones, resulting in duplicated operations and higher long-term costs. Additionally, failure to approve the boundary change would delay the Proposition 218 rate adjustment process planned for FY 2025-26, which is essential to rebuild WWD 41’s reserves that were depleted following the completion of the transite-pipe replacement project. Without these actions, the district’s ability to sustain reliable operations and future infrastructure improvements would be adversely affected.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. All costs for administering WWD 41, including this LAFCo action, are budgeted in Department of Public Works and Planning - WWD 41W, Org 9361, and WWD 41S, Org 9351, and all costs for WWD 41 are funded by water and sewer service fees, property taxes, and interest on cash reserves.
DISCUSSION:
WWD 41 was established in 1972 to provide community water and sewer services for the developing properties south of Shaver Lake in Township 10. The district’s water and sewer systems currently serve multiple subdivisions, including Ockenden, Ridgetop, Dogwood, Appleridge Meadowridge, Granite Ridge, Wildflower Village, Bretz Mountain, and Timber Ridge.
Although CSA Zones 31C, 31D, 31F, and 31G are already served by WWD 41 and pay for these services, they are not officially annexed into the district’s service area.
The proposed annexation and SOI amendment are strictly administrative in nature, intended to align district boundaries with actual service connections. This action will consolidate all connected properties under the WWD 41 jurisdiction and improve administrative efficiency by eliminating overlapping service areas.
In addition, WWD 41 faces critical infrastructure needs, including the replacement of a damaged water storage tank and other major repairs to its aging water and sewer facilities. These improvements are necessary to maintain service reliability, meet regulatory standards, and ensure the district’s operational capacity. The annexation and SOI amendment will support these efforts by establishing a unified governance structure and facilitating future funding and rate adjustments.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Exhibit A - Site Map
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia