Alameda County Special Districts Association Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The Alameda County Special Districts Association (ACSDA) will celebrate its successful 20 year history at an anniversary dinner on Thursday, March 25 at the Marriott Hotel in Pleasanton beginning at 7pm. Over 150 members, guests, and public officials are expected to attend. The guest speaker will be Bruce Kern, Executive Director, East Bay Economic Development Alliance, who will discuss the future of the East Bay economy. The dinner also includes greetings from Alice-Lai Bitker, President, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Jennifer Hosterman, Mayor of Pleasanton, and Neil McCormick, Executive Director, California Special Districts Association. Doug Siden, ACSDA President and an elected member of the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors will be Master of Ceremonies.

Special Districts provide utilities, transit, water, sanitation, fire protection, healthcare, air quality management, and recreation and parks. On December 13, 1990, twelve representatives from Special Districts throughout Alameda County met at the administrative offices of the East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland. They voted to form the Alameda County Chapter of California Special Districts to act as a common voice for Special Districts throughout the County. Today, there are 22 member organizations involved in ACSDA. The Chapter won “Chapter of the Year” from the California Special Districts Association in 2009 based on membership and innovative ideas.
The two dominant issues facing ACSDA, and all California Special Districts, are potential shifting of property taxes by the State and the effect of regional government initiatives. 

According to ACSDA President Doug Siden, “While ACSDA has had an impressive twenty years, there is still much to do. There are over 2,300 independent Special Districts in the state with over 10,000 elected board members representing millions of Californians. Many Districts were voted into existence by citizens who recognized a need for the services they provide. As State reform initiatives are discussed, Special Districts, including ACSDA, must have a significant role.  There is no doubt the State budget process is in need of reform however, it would be a disservice to California not to ensure inclusion of Special Districts in any future plans.”