TO
ENCOURAGE THE ORDERLY FORMATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
LAFCOs review proposals for the formation of new local governmental agencies and
for changes in the organization of existing agencies. There are 58 LAFCOs
working with nearly 3,500 governmental agencies (400+ cities and 3,000+ special
districts). Agency boundaries are frequently unrelated to one another and
sometimes overlap at random. This complexity of local government can lead to
higher service costs to the taxpayer and general confusion regarding service
area jurisdictions and boundaries. LAFCO decisions strive to balance the
competing needs in California for efficient services, affordable housing,
economic opportunity, and conservation of natural resources.
TO
PRESERVE AGRICULTURAL LAND RESOURCES
LAFCO
must consider the effect that any proposal will have on existing agricultural
lands. By guiding development toward vacant urban land and away from
agricultural preserves, LAFCO assists with the preservation of California’s
valuable agricultural resources.
TO
DISCOURAGE URBAN SPRAWL
Urban sprawl can best be described as irregular and disorganized growth
occurring without apparent design or plan. This pattern of development is
characterized by the inefficient delivery of municipal services (e.g., police,
fire, water, and sanitation) and the unnecessary loss of agricultural resources
and open space lands. By discouraging sprawl, LAFCO limits the misuse of land
resources and promotes a more efficient system of local governmental
agencies.