Joint Powers Authorities: What You Need to Know 2020/2021 Nevada County Grand Jury

There is no governmental entity with oversight responsibility for JPAs.

The JPA vertical structure has limited checks and balances.

Marks-Roos bonds may be issued without voter approval. Taxpayers may face potential liability.

Municipal service JPAs are only required to provide their local LAFCo with a copy of their Agreement and any amendments. JPAs providing only financial services are not required to file with LAFCo.

The complexities of JPA structures, laws, and terminologies make JPAs difficult to understand. References and Resources 1 California Special Districts Association: https://calafco.org/sites/default/files/resources/CSDA_Guide_to_Laws_%26_Codes.pdf California State Senate: https://www.senate.ca.gov/search?search_api_views_fulltext=Special+district+ 2 Nevada County Superior Court: http://nccourt.net/divisions/gj-reports.shtml 3 Governments Working Together, A Citizen’s Guide to Joint Powers Agreements; California State Legislature Senate Local Government Committee; August 2007, pages 10 - 11. Ibid, 9. Ibid, 27. Los Angeles Times, April 16, 2014, https://timelines.latimes.com/bell/ 7 Joint Powers Authorities, Transparency and Accountability (Report 1808); 2017-2018 Contra Costa County Grand Jury. Joint Powers Authorities: Issues of Viability, Control, Transparency, and Solvency; 2014-2015 County of Orange Grand Jury. 9 https://www.countyofnapa.org/520/Proximity-Housing-Homebuyers-Assistance- 10 A Review of the Marks-Roos Local Bond Pooling Act of 1985; California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission; September 1998. Rider. Cal 4th at 1051. Governments Working Together, A Citizen’s Guide to Joint Powers Agreements; California State Legislature Senate Local Government Committee; August 2007, . 11