Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission Meeting – August 14, 2026

The Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) held a regular meeting on August 14, 2026, at 2:51 PM, chaired by Chris Little. The commission approved consent items, conducted public hearings on sewer annexations, municipal service reviews, a new fee schedule, and administrative policies, received an audit report, and took actions on CalAFCO nominations, a legislative co-sponsorship, a Delta fire protection study, public member appointments, and a transition toward independence from the county. Several public commenters raised concerns about workplace conditions, lactation accommodations, and the need for oversight of LAFCO operations.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2–4: Approved unanimously (6‑0) without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Off‑agenda public comments (prior to consent): Multiple speakers addressed the commission on general themes:
• Desiree Fox asked about improving America and treating workers with respect, emphasizing civility and kindness.
• Dr. Joyceland Wormley urged a thorough, independent investigation into LAFCO leadership and operations, citing concerns about cybersecurity, employee treatment, and possible intimidation.
• Daryl Wormley Jr. described a nursing mother being placed in an unlocked storage closet, calling it unfair.
• John Fox and Ebony stressed equal treatment and kindness.
• Nick highlighted vaping’s harm to health and environment.
• Kim Stevens challenged the board to ensure accountability and oversight within LAFCO.
• Sally Dolores Roberts (military veteran) called for clearer accountability for contracted employees’ workplace protections, especially lactation accommodations.
• On consent items: Desiree Fox stated that the June 3, 2026 meeting summary included her name as staff seated with the dais, but she sat in the audience by choice; she noted that staff member Desiree Foss was not present to do her job.
• On item 5 (Hood/Franklin annexation): Desiree Fox commended analyst Christy Grable’s work on the project.
• On item 6 (Southgate MSR/SOI): Desiree Fox praised the in‑house MSR; Ward Winchell (Southgate GM) thanked LAFCO staff; a founder of Super Parent Day thanked Southgate for providing a venue and asked why the report’s author (Desiree Fox) did not present, questioning oversight.
• On item 7 (fee schedule): Desiree Fox urged thorough evaluation; Kim Stevens asked for strong scrutiny and accountability.
• On item 8 (administrative policies): Desiree Fox stressed the importance of reviewing policies carefully before adoption.
• On item 9 (audit): Kim Stevens again called for accountability; Desiree Fox suggested an operational audit in addition to the financial audit.
• On item 10 (CalAFCO nominations): Desiree Fox noted Sacramento LAFCO hosts the conference and should receive appropriate attention; Kim Stevens urged quality representation.
• On item 11 (Delta fire MSR): Desiree Fox supported the review, citing flood recovery needs.
• On item 12 (public member appointment): Desiree Fox thanked outgoing Chair Little and welcomed incoming Commissioner Murphy.
• On item 13 (legislative co‑sponsorship): Desiree Fox and Kim Stevens requested clearer visual presentations for complex topics.
• On item 14 (CalAFCO conference sponsorship): Kim Stevens advised on branding.
• On item 15 (independence): Desiree Fox outlined pros and cons, noting risks for staff autonomy.
• On item 16 (CalAFCO awards): No substantive comment.
• On announcements: Desiree Fox supported the office move and praised the ASTRO sheet tracking tool.
• Zoom public comments: One participant (Velma Wilson) spoke during item 9, supporting previous speakers and emphasizing the need for adequate lactation accommodations.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – Annexation of Hood and Franklin into Sacramento Area Sewer District (SAC Sewer): Staff presented the final step of a multi‑year process to connect 137 parcels in Hood (≈50 acres) and 48 parcels in Franklin (≈71 acres) to public sewer, funded by state grants. The project will not induce growth; pipe sizing preserves agricultural land. Commissioner Wickert questioned backup power for pumps; staff said SAC Sewer would provide details. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 6 – Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) for Southgate Recreation and Park District: Staff presented the in‑house MSR covering 47 parks, six community centers, two aquatic facilities. The district serves ≈120,000 residents, is well‑governed, and provides comparable services to disadvantaged areas. The SOI is recommended as coterminous. Commissioner Jones moved to approve; seconded. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 7 – Adoption of New Fee Schedule: Executive Officer Jose Enriquez presented an hourly‑rate schedule replacing the 1995 per‑acreage schedule, with a built‑in 10% annual escalator. Commissioner Wickert noted 10% seemed high; discussion led to an amendment to reevaluate hourly rates every year instead of a fixed escalator. Commissioner Jones suggested approving with a one‑year review but the final motion was for annual reevaluation, seconded. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 8 – Adoption of New Administrative Policies: Staff presented a new section in the Policy Standards and Procedures covering budget, travel, personnel, etc., drawn from best practices. Commissioner Wickert moved; seconded. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 9 – Audit Summary for FY 2024‑25: Spencer Robert Blandak (James Marta Company) presented an unmodified opinion, no material misstatements, no control deficiencies. Commission received the report without a formal vote (motion and second, passed 6‑0).
• Item 10 – CalAFCO Board Nominations and Voting Delegate: Commissioner Jones was nominated to continue on the CalAFCO board and designated as the voting delegate. She was also nominated to be the regular public member (item 12). Alternate voting delegate: after discussion, Commissioner King agreed to serve as alternate. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 11 – Launching MSR/SOI for Delta Fire Protection Districts: Commissioner Hume requested the study; staff recommended hiring a consultant. Commissioner Jones supported. Motion to proceed, seconded. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 12 – Public Member Selection: With Chair Little not reapplying, Commissioner Murphy (alternate) was appointed as regular public member effective January 1, 2027; recruitment for an alternate public member would be extended 45 days. Motion by Commissioner Hume, seconded. Chair Little abstained; passed 5‑0‑1.
• Item 13 – Co‑sponsoring Legislation with LA LAFCO: Staff proposed supporting a bill to exempt public rights‑of‑way from the mandatory property tax exchange process, after narrowing the scope with input from the County Assessor and Finance Director. Commissioner Wickert moved to support in concept; seconded. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 14 – Sponsorship of 2026 CalAFCO Conference: Staff requested approval for a $2,000 sponsorship (within EO’s authority) to place Sacramento LAFCO logo on welcome bags. Commissioner Hume moved; seconded. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
• Item 15 – LAFCO Independence from Sacramento County: Staff presented findings and asked for direction to begin a transition plan, with full independence targeted by January 1, 2028 after pension legislation. Commissioner Wickert moved to proceed; seconded. Commissioner Hume abstained due to county employment. Approved 5‑1.
• Item 16 – 2026 CalAFCO Awards Nominations: Staff suggested nominating SAC Sewer for the Hood/Franklin project. Commissioner Jones added a nomination for Kate McKenna (retiring EO) for a Lifetime Achievement Award. Motion to submit both nominations, seconded. Approved unanimously (6‑0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent items (2–4) approved 6‑0.
• Annexation of Hood/Franklin (Item 5) approved 6‑0.
• Southgate MSR/SOI (Item 6) approved 6‑0.
• New fee schedule (Item 7) approved 6‑0 with amendment for annual rate reevaluation.
• Administrative policies (Item 8) adopted 6‑0.
• Audit report (Item 9) received 6‑0.
• CalAFCO nominations and voting delegate (Item 10) approved 6‑0; Commissioner Jones as delegate, Commissioner King as alternate.
• Delta fire MSR launch (Item 11) approved 6‑0.
• Public member appointment (Item 12) approved 5‑0‑1 (Chair Little abstained).
• Legislative co‑sponsorship (Item 13) approved 6‑0 in concept.
• CalAFCO conference sponsorship (Item 14) approved 6‑0.
• Independence transition (Item 15) approved 5‑1 (Commissioner Hume abstained).
• CalAFCO award nominations (Item 16) approved 6‑0.
• Meeting adjourned to closed session.