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� �� A NEW RESOURCE FOR (�URT RULIHG PROTECTS PLAHNIHG COMMISSIONERS WATER RATES The long-awaited update ofthe Planning On July 21, 2004, the 4"� District Court of Commissioner's Handbook is here! Appeal handed down its ruling in &ghom-Desert View WaterAgency v. Beringson. The case arose New subjects, new sections and a total when some customers of the water district pro- reorganization promise to make this one of the posed an initiative that would reduoe the Agency's most useful resources available for planning commodity rates and certain other charges, and commissioners today. require any future increases in "water rates, fees or charges" to be approved by voters. In n�ling The handbook describes the toots available for that the Agency was not required to hold an planning commissioners and others to assist in election on the initiative, the court found that reaching the community's goal of quality planning. metered water rates are not subject to the initiative It is an excellent reference for new and long-term process. The court reasoned, in part, that the commissioners and planners, and inGudes initiative process may not be used to impair an several chapters on subjects such as legal au- essential govemmental purpose. The ruling thority, general procedures, policy and programs protects the Agency's ability to generate adequate and'"°�gne�ti�sh�s•The haac�ookbll revenues to meet its expenses and avoid the We��3�ed ��s Pmv�e tl�e bas�s � increased costs required by an election each time whatYo�u need t� ]maw � m ake dec.s�s a the Agency needed to raise its rates. bdayb p�nn �g e�v� eat The League filed a fi iend-of-the-court brief in The Planning Commissioner's Handbook is the case and offers its thanks to brief writers Dan available from the League for $35 for city officials Hentschke and Janet Morningstar. and $55 for non-city oificials. Order online through CityBooks at www.cacities.ora.store or call (916) . . , � � � � , � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 658-8257. An online version is also available through the Institute for Local Self Government website at www.ilsq.orq/planners. SMA GROWTH BROINHFIELD ............................... REDEVELOPMEIVT FUNDING • • The Development, Community and Environment ; PUBLIC FINAHCE SURVEY REMIHDER � Division ofthe U.S. Environmental Protection • Please help us by filling out the ; A9ency's Office of Policy Economics and Innova- • tion has issued a request for initial proposals from � League's survey on the Future ofPublic � communities that seek to integrate smart growth � Finance. The survey is being conducted in ; principles into their brownfield redevelopment • conjunction with the National League of � programs and related revitalization activities. The : Cities and the Public Policy Institute of • EPA expects to award about $400,000 total to as • Califomia. tt was mailed out in eary June, ; many as eight applicants. The program encour- • remailed in early July and the due date has . . � ages proposals in three categories: improving the � now been extended to Auaust 6. An addi- . regulatory climate for infill development through � tional copy of the survey has reoently been � smart growth policy approaches and practices, : mailed out to your aty if it has yet to re- • improving the market climate for brownfield ' spond. If you have questions, please � development through infill development, and � contact Chris Hoene, Research Manager � Iinking infill development to open space preserva- ; at NLC, at hoene�n�.or+g or (202) 626- . tion. Proposals are due August 24. Info: httD:// • 3172. Thanks for your he/p! • • . fedqrants.QOV/ . � ............................... PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org