Service Reviews and Special Studies

Through adoption of AB 2838, the State of California established the requirements for LAFCOs to conducting Service Reviews (Government Code Section 56430) as well as requiring sphere of influence updates for all agencies under LAFCO purview (Government Code Section 56425).

In 2003 the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) issued Municipal Service Review Guidelines that provided a step-by-step approach to understanding the service review process as established by the Legislature. On May 21, 2003, the San Bernardino LAFCO adopted the OPR MSR Guidelines by reference for its use during the conduct of its service reviews and adopted local policies related to the processing of service reviews and review requirements for sphere of influence amendments. While the requirements of Section 56430 have changed over time, the Commission has maintained this document as its policy guidelines.

Second Round: Countywide Service Reviews & Special Studies

In April 2016, in an effort to more efficiently conduct the mandatory service reviews along with the passage of legislation since 2008 affecting service reviews and sphere of influence updates, the Commission modified the scope of all of the second round service reviews to address individual services on a countywide basis. The following are the Service Reviews in process or conducted to date for the second round:

Special Study of the Barstow Cemetery District LAFCO 3266

Final Service Review for LAFCO 3231

Service Review for the Twentynine Palms Community

Other Documents for LAFCO 3231

Special Study for the Morongo Valley Community Services District

Final Service Review for LAFCO 3245

Countywide Service Review for Public Cemetery Districts

Other Documents for LAFCO 3245

Final Service Review for LAFCO 3231

Countywide Service Review for Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services, and Dispatch

Other Documents for LAFCO 3231

Final Service Review for LAFCO 3234

Service Review for the Wrightwood Community Services District

Other Documents for LAFCO 3234

Resolution No. 3288

Final Service Review for LAFCO 3190

Countywide Service Review for Wastewater (Collection, Treatment, Disposal)

Other Documents for LAFCO 3190

Final Service Review for LAFCO 3187

Countywide Service Review for Water (Retail, Wholesale, Recycled)

Other Documents for LAFCO 3187

Special Study of the Morongo Valley Community Services District

Final Service Review for LAFCO 3174

Service Review for Water Conservation within the Valley Region

Other Documents for LAFCO 3174

Special Study for Daggett, Newberry and Yermo Community Services Districts including Plan for Service and Service Review Update

First Round Service Reviews

San Bernardino LAFCO conducted its initial round of service reviews and sphere of influence updates on a community-by-community basis (e.g. San Bernardino, Apple Valley, Yucca Valley, Lake Arrowhead) packaged by region (Valley, North Desert, South Desert, Mountain) in keeping with adopted Commission policy on spheres of influence. This practice of looking at a total community also considers the existence of inter-related economic, environmental, geographic, and social interests, and attempts to harmonize the conflicting plans and services of the various service entities within a defined community.

Valley Region – First Round

The western portion of the Valley includes all or portions of the Chino and Cucamonga Groundwater Basins, including the Cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.

Cities

Districts

The eastern portion of the Valley includes all or portions of the Bunker Hill, Rialto-Colton, Riverside-Arlington, San Timoteo, and Yucaipa Groundwater Basins. The East Valley includes the Cities of San Bernardino, Colton, Loma Linda, Redlands, Rialto, Highland, Grand Terrace, and Yucaipa; and unincorporated communities of Bloomington, Mentone, Muscoy, and Oak Glen.

Cities

Districts

CSA SL-1 (Streetlighting)

Resolution	Overview Map	Service Review

Inland Empire Resource Conservation District

Other Documents

Service Reviews & SOI Updates for Valley Region Resource Conservation Districts (January 21, 2004)
Adoption of Resolutions for East Valley Resource Conservation District (February 18, 2004)
Adoption of Resolutions for Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (February 18, 2004)

North Desert Region – First Round

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the north desert portion of the County. The study area is generally east of the Los Angeles County line, north and northeast of the Phelan/Pinon Hills Community Services District, south of the Helendale Community Services District, and west and north the City of Victorville. The Adelanto community, which includes the corporate boundaries of the City and its unincorporated sphere of influence, encompasses approximately 71+/- square miles and the community of El Mirage encompasses approximately 97+/- square miles. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area 70 Improvement Zone P-6 and Chamisal Mutual Water Company.

Entity	Resolution	Map
City of Adelanto

Other Documents

Service Review for Communities of Adelanto and El Mirage with CSA 70 Improv Zone P-6 and Chamisal Mutual Water Company (September 16, 2009)
Previous Adelanto boundary & SOI (May 2008)
Recommended changes to Adelanto boundary & SOI (September 16, 2009)
Review and Adoption of Resolution No. 3069 (October 21, 2009)

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses approximately 259+/- square miles and is located in the north desert portion of the County. The study area is generally bordered by the boundaries and spheres of the Cities of Hesperia and Victorville and Interstate 15 on the west, the Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area on the north, County Service Area 29 (Lucerne Valley) on the east, and the National Forest boundary on the south. Service Reviews were also performed for Golden State Water Company and Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company.

Entity Name	Resolution	Map
Town of Apple Valley
Apple Valley Fire Protection District
Apple Valley Heights County Water District
Apple Valley Foothill County Water District
Juniper Rivera County Water District
Mariana Ranchos County Water District
Thunderbird County Water District
County Service Area 17
County Service Area 60

Other Documents

Service Review and SOI Updates for the Apple Valley Community (August 20, 2008)
Service Review Update for the Town of Apple Valley (September 17, 2008)
Service Review Updates for Apple Valley Heights, Apple Valley Foothill, and Mariana Ranchos County Water Districts (October 15, 2008)
Review & Adoption of Resolutions for the Apple Valley Community (October 15, 2008)

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses approximately 200+/- square miles and is located in the north desert portion of the County northeast of the Town of Apple Valley and City of Victorville. The community is generally bordered by Fort Irwin on the northeast, the Daggett community on the east, Stoddard Mountain on the south, and Hinkley Road on the west. It includes all or portions of the unincorporated communities known as Barstow Heights, Hinkley, Grandview, Hodge, and Lenwood. Service Reviews were also performed for Golden State Water Company (Barstow) and County Service Areas 70 R-42, 70 S-7, and 70 W.

Other Documents

Service Review and SOI updates for the Barstow Community (October 15, 2008)
Review & Adoption of Resolutions for the Barstow Community (November 19, 2008)
Updates to Service Review for the City of Barstow, Odessa Water District, and Barstow Fire Protection District (February 18, 2009)
Correction to Service Review for Barstow Fire Protection District (April 21, 2010)

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses approximately 226 square miles and is located in the north desert portion of the County and includes the communities commonly known as Daggett, Yermo, Newberry Springs and Harvard. The area is generally bordered by a combination of section lines and the City of Barstow boundary and sphere on the west which includes territory west of Fort Irwin and Ord Mountain Roads; a combination of section lines and half-section lines on the north; a combination of section lines and Manix Road on the east which includes territories one mile east of Troy Dry Lake; and a combination of the City of Barstow boundaries and section lines on the south which includes area south of Interstate 40 and a small portion of the City of Barstow sphere of influence.

Other Documents

Service Review and SOI Updates for the Communities of Daggett, Newberry Springs, and Yermo (May 20, 2009)
Staff Report (June 17, 2009)
Review & Adoption of Resolutions for the Communities of Daggett, Harvard, Newberry Springs, and Yermo (July 15, 2009)

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses approximately 106+/- square miles and is located in the north desert portion of the County. It is generally bordered by section lines and the boundaries of the Phelan/Piñon Hills Community Services District on the west, the City of Victorville’s boundary and sphere of influence on the north, a combination of the Town of Apple Valley’s boundary and sphere of influence and parcel lines on the east, and the San Bernardino National Forest boundary on the south. The territory includes the communities known as Oak Hills and Summit Valley. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones J, R-39, R-41, and SP-2.

Other Documents

Service Review for Hesperia Community (October 15, 2008)
Review of Hesperia Community Service Review & SOI Updates (November 19, 2008)
Review & Adoption of Resolution for Hesperia Recreation & Park District (November 19, 2008)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the north desert portion of the County. It is generally bordered by the Apple Valley Fire Protection District boundary and sphere of influence on the west, township/section lines on the north, a combination of the township lines and section lines on the east (which includes areas east and west of Bessemer Mine Road, Green Rock Mine Road, and Camp Rock Road), and section lines on the south which includes the Mitsubishi Cushenbury Cement Plant and area north and south of the San Bernardino National Forest boundary. Discussion on County Service Area Improvement Zone R-25 was also included in this study.

Entity Name	Resolution	Map	Staff Report
County Service Area 29

The overall service review and sphere study area and is located in the north desert portion of the County. It is generally bordered by the Los Angeles County line on the west; Rancho Road on the north, a combination of the City of Adelanto’s boundary and sphere of influence and the spheres of influence for the Cities of Victorville and Hesperia on the east, and the San Bernardino National Forest boundary on the south. The Phelan/Piñon Hills community encompasses approximately 128+/- square miles and the Wrightwood community encompasses approximately 4 square miles. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area 56 Improvement Zone F-1 and County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones L and P-4.

Entity Name	Resolution	Map
County Service Area 9
County Service Area 56

Other Documents

Actions Affecting the Communities of Phelan, Piñon Hills, and Wrightwood (May 16, 2007)
Actions Affecting the Communities of Phelan and Piñon Hills (June 20, 2007)
Actions Affecting the Communities of Phelan & Pinon Hills (Continued from June 20, 2007)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the north desert portion of the County. Within the general Crest Forest community are the unincorporated areas known as Arrowhead Highlands, Cedarpines Park, Crestline, Lake Gregory, Skyland, Valley of Enchantment, Valley of the Moon, and Valley View Park. A Service Review was also performed for the Searles Valley Water Company.

Other Documents

Service Review for CSA 82, CSA 30, Indiana Wells Valley Water District, East Kern Healthcare District, Rand Communities Water District, Searles Domestic Water Company, and California City Community Services District (January 20, 2010)

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses approximately 98+/- square miles and is located in the north desert portion of the County. It is generally bordered by a combination of the City of Adelanto’s boundary and sphere of influence and the boundaries for the Phelan/Pinon Hills Community Services District on the west, the City of Hesperia’s boundary and sphere on the south, a combination of the Town of Apple Valley’s boundary and sphere of influence and the I-15 Freeway on the east, and a combination of the City of Barstow’s sphere of influence and the Helendale Community Services District boundary on the north. The territory includes the communities known as Baldy Mesa, Spring Valley Lake, and Oro Grande.

Other Documents

Service Review for the Victorville Community (February 21, 2007)
Staff Report for the Victorville Community Municipal Service Review (March 21, 2007)
Review & Adoption of Resolutions Reflecting Determinations for Victorville Community (April 18, 2007)
Service Review & SOI Updates for CSA 42 (August 15, 2007)
Additional Update for CSA 42 (November 28, 2007)
Service Review & SOI Updates for CSA 64 (November 19, 2008)
Additional Update for CSA 64 (January 21, 2009)

Mojave Water Agency

The service review and sphere study area for the Mojave Water Agency is located in the north desert portion of the County and is generally bordered by the Los Angeles and Kern County lines on the west; a combination of the Fort Irwin Military Reservation and China Lake Naval Weapons Center on the north which excludes the community of Trona/Searles Valley; a combination of the east line of Range 4 East and section lines on the east which excludes the City of Twentynine Palms and includes the Town of Yucca Valley and communities of Landers, Flamingo Heights, Joshua Tree, and Pioneertown; and a combination of the National Forest boundary, Riverside County line, and section lines on the south which excludes the community of Morongo Valley.

Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District

The service review and existing sphere study area is generally bordered on the east by the states of Nevada and Arizona; on the south by a combination of the Riverside County line and the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District; on the west by Los Angeles and Kern County lines; and on the north by Inyo County line, excluding the area of China Lake Naval Weapons Center and Searles Valley.

County Service Area 60

The service review and existing sphere study area is generally bordered by the Los Angeles County line on the west, section and/or half-section lines on the north adjacent to the City of Barstow, section lines on the east, and generally the National Forest boundary on the south. Within the boundaries of the district are numerous exclusions of Southern California Edison Company and Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Company facilities and/or lands.

County Service Area 40

The service review and existing sphere study area is generally located north of the Stoddard Wells Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, east of Section and Half-Section lines, south/southwest of Fort Irwin, and west of section lines on the east which includes territory one mile east of Troy Dry Lake. The District’s existing sphere of influence consists of the district territory east of the City of Barstow city limits including the communities known as Daggett, Harvard, Newberry, and Yermo. Its sphere includes the exclusion areas of the easements and lands of Southern California Edison, Union Pacific Railroad Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southwest Gas Corporation, and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company properties crisscrossing through the agency.

South Desert Region – First Round

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert portion of the County. It is generally located at the junction of Interstate 15 and State Route 127, approximately 90 miles southwest of Las Vegas and 60 miles northeast of Barstow along Interstate 15.

Entity Name	Service Review	Attachment 1	Attachment 2
Baker Community Services District

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert portion of the County. It is generally bordered by the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation boundary on the west, a combination of State Highway 62 and section lines on the north, the centerline of the Colorado River (the State of California boundary) on the east, and the Riverside County line on the south.

Entity Name	Resolution	Map	Service Review
Big River Community Services District

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses the Morongo Basin region, as defined by the Commission, generally composed of the Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Homestead Valley.

Service Review for the Hi-Desert Memorial Healthcare District

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert region of the County. Within the general Homestead Valley community is the unincorporated communities of Landers, Flamingo Heights, and Johnson Valley. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones W-1, R-15, R-20, and TV-5.

Entity Name	Resolution	Map
Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency

Other Documents

Service Review for the Homestead Valley Community Area (January 12, 2012)
Update to the Service Review for Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency (April 18, 2012)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert portion of the County. It is generally east of the Yucca Valley community, south of the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air/Ground Combat Center, west of the Twentynine Palms community, and north of the Joshua Tree National Park. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones R-19 and TV-5.

Staff Report

Service Review and SOI Updates for CSA 20, CSA 70 Zones R-19 (Roads), CSA TV-5 (Television), and Joshua Basin Water District (January 19, 2011)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert region of the County. State Route 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) traverses through the community which is south of the Sawtooth Mountains, southwest of the LAFCO defined Yucca Valley community, westerly of the Joshua Tree National Park, north of the Riverside county line, and east of the San Bernardino Mountain Range. Service Reviews were also performed for Golden State Water Company (Del Norte and Del Sur Systems) and County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones F, W-3, and TV-2.

Entity Name	Resolution	Map
Morongo Valley Community Services District

Other Documents

Service Review for the Morongo Valley Community (November 21, 2012)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert region of the County. Within the general Needles community is the City of Needles, its unincorporated community, and the unincorporated community of Havasu Lake. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area 70 Improvement Zone HL, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Zone FP-6, and the private water companies of Havasu Water Company, Lakeview Water Company, and Black Meadow Landing.

Other Documents

Service Review for the Needles and Lake Havasu Communities (May 15, 2013)
Review & Adoption of Resolution for the City of Needles (July 17, 2013)
Sphere of Influence Update Map (July 17, 2013)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert region of the County. Within the general Twentynine Palms community is the City of Twentynine Palms, its unincorporated community, and the unincorporated community of Wonder Valley. Service Reviews were also performed for San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Zone FP-4 and County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones M, TV-4, and TV-5.

Entity Name	Resolution	Map
City of Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms Public Cemetery District
Twentynine Palms Water District

Other Documents

Service Review for the Twentynine Palms Community (May 16, 2012)
Consideration of Service Review & SOI Update for the City of Twentynine Palms (June 20, 2012)
Review & Adoption of Resolution for the Twentynine Palms Water District (June 20, 2012)
Reconsideration of Service Review & SOI Update for the Twentynine Palms Public Cemetery District (November 21, 2012)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the south desert portion of the County. It is generally bordered by the Joshua Tree community on the east, by the Joshua Tree National Park on the south, by a combination of the Morongo Valley community and section lines on the west, and by a combination of the Bighorn Desert View Water Agency boundary/sphere and section lines on the north. It also includes all or portions of the unincorporated communities known as Pioneertown and Yucca Mesa. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones R-26, R-29, TV-5, and W-4.

Other Documents

Service Review for the Yucca Valley Community (April 15, 2009)

Mountain Region – First Round

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the mountain region of the County. Within the general Bear Valley community is the City of Big Bear Lake and the unincorporated areas commonly known as Big Bear City, Baldwin Lake, Erwin Lake, Lake Williams, Fawnskin, Sugarloaf and Moonridge. A Service Review was also performed for the Big Bear Regional Wastewater Agency.

Other Documents

Service Review for the Bear Valley Community (August 17, 2011)
Review & Adoption of Resolutions for the Bear Valley Community (September 28, 2011)
Service Review & SOI Update for the City of Big Bear Lake (August 15, 2012)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the mountain region of the County. Within the general Crest Forest community are the unincorporated areas known as Arrowhead Highlands, Cedarpines Park, Crestline, Lake Gregory, Skyland, Valley of Enchantment, Valley of the Moon, and Valley View Park. Service Reviews were also performed for Cedarpines Park Mutual Water Company and Valley of Enchantment Mutual Water Company.

Other Documents

Service Review for the Crest Forest Community (December 8, 2010)
Definitions of Regional Services of Streetlighting and Fire Protection for the Crest Forest and Lake Arrowhead Communities (December 8, 2010)
Staff Report for the Crest Forest Community Service Review (January 9, 2011)
Update to Service Review for Crestline Sanitation District (April 21, 2011)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the mountain region of the County. The area is generally identified as the Hilltop community, which includes the areas known as Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, and Green Valley Lake, including the Snow Valley Ski area. Service Reviews were also performed for Green Valley Mutual Water Company and Smiley Park Country Club.

Other Documents

Service Review for the Hilltop Community (Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, and Green Valley Lake (March 16, 2011)
Review & Adoption of Resolutions for the Hilltop Community (April 21, 2011)

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the mountain region of the County. Within the general Lake Arrowhead community are the unincorporated areas known as Rimforest, Twin Peaks, Blue Jay, Crest Park (Meadowbrook), Skyforest, Cedar Glen, Deer Lodge Park, and Lake Arrowhead. Service Reviews were also performed for County Service Area SL-1 (Lake Arrowhead portion) and County Service Area 70 Improvement Zones CG and D-1.

Other Documents

Service Review for the Lake Arrowhead Community (December 8, 2010)
Community Definition and Review of Regional Services of Streetlighting and Fire Protection (December 8, 2010)

Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency

The overall service review and sphere study area is located in the mountain region of the County. The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses the entire Mountain region of approximately 110 square miles, as defined by the Commission, generally composed of the Crest Forest, Lake Arrowhead, Hilltop, and Bear Valley communities. This Service Review was performed for the Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency.

Mountain Healthcare Districts

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses the entire Mountain region, as defined by the Commission, generally composed of the Crest Forest, Lake Arrowhead, Hilltop, and Bear Valley communities. Service Reviews and Sphere Updates were performed for the San Bernardino Mountains Community Healthcare District and the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District.

Final Service Review

Service Review for the Mountain Healthcare Districts (January 18, 2012)

Mountain Region Road and Snow Removal Service Review

The overall service review and sphere study area encompasses the entire Mountain region, as defined by the Commission, generally composed of the Crest Forest, Lake Arrowhead, Hilltop, and Bear Valley communities. Service Reviews and Sphere Updates were performed for County Service Area 59 (Deer Lodge Park), County Service Area 68 (Valley of the Moon), and County Service Area 69 (Lake Arrowhead).

Other Documents

Staff Report Continuing Item (September 28, 2011)
Continued Consideration of Mountain Region Review of Road and Snow Removal Services (February 15, 2012)
Staff Report Continuing Item (November 21, 2012)
Staff Report Continuing Item (February 20, 2013)
Mountain Region Review of Road and Snow Removal Services (April 17, 2013)

Rim of the World Recreation and Park District

Resolution	Map	Service Review

Entity Name	Resolution	Staff Report
City of Chino
City of Chino Hills
City of Fontana
City of Montclair
City of Ontario
City of Rancho Cucamonga
City of Upland

Entity Name	Resolution	Staff Report
Chino Basin Water Conservation District
Chino Valley Independent Fire District
Cucamonga County Water District
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Monte Vista Water District
Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District
West Valley Mosquito Vector Control District
West Valley Water District

Entity Name	Resolution	Map	Staff Report
City of Colton
City of Grand Terrace
City of Highland
City of Loma Linda
City of Redlands
City of Rialto
City of San Bernardino
City of Yucaipa

Entity Name	Resolution	Map	Staff Report
Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District
East Valley Resource Conservation District
East Valley Water District
Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District
Rubidoux Community Services District
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District
Yucaipa Valley Water District

Entity Name	Resolution	Map
Baldy Mesa Water District
City of Victorville
County Service Area 42 (Oro Grande)
County Service Area 64 (Spring Valley Lake)
Victorville Fire Protection District
Victorville Recreation & Park District
Victorville Sanitary District
Victor Valley Water District