Local Agency Formation Commission

The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) was created by State law in 1963 to regulate the boundaries of cities and special districts. There is a LAFCO in each of the 58 counties of California. Each LAFCO is an independent public agency. The objectives of LAFCO are:

• To encourage the orderly formation of local government agencies and promote the efficient provision of public services
• To preserve agricultural land and open-space resources
• To promote orderly growth and discourage urban sprawlMunicipal Services Reviews conducted by the Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCO) A

LAFCOs are required to complete a Municipal Service Review (MSR) for all special districts as needed or every five years.  MSR is a comprehensive study to determine the adequacy of governmental services being provided by the local agencies under LAFCO jurisdiction (Government Code Section 56430). An MSR is designed to better inform LAFCO, local agencies, and the community about the provision of municipal services. MSRs attempt to capture and analyze information about the governance structures and efficiencies of service providers, and to identify opportunities for greater coordination and cooperation between providers.

Petaluma Health Care District has never been subject to an MSR, as attested by Sonoma County LAFCo here.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.sonomalafco.org/