Implementation Update

September 24, 2019

Supplemental Documents Adopted: Several supplemental documents providing additional guidance for implementation of the Safe, Clean Water Program have been adopted by the Chief Engineer of the LA County Flood Control District:

• Credit Program Implementation Procedures and Guidelines *
• Low-Income Senior Exemption Procedures and Guidelines *
• Tax Appeals Procedures and Guidelines *
• Feasibility Study Guidelines *
• Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) Operating Guidelines
• Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) Operating Guidelines
• Scoring Committee (SC) Operating Guidelines

Documents were distributed for public notice in August following the adoption of the Safe Clean Water Program Implementation Ordinance.  All additional comments received were considered.  Adopted supplemental documents and the corresponding online applications and tools can currently be found here.

Additional Program Elements Under Development:  Additional elements of the Program continue to be developed. There will be opportunities for public review and input related to the following:

• Tax Credit Trading Program
• General Income-Based Tax Reduction Program
• Workforce Training Program(s)
• Community Education Program(s)

Tax Calculation and Collection:

• Refined FY 2019-20 revenue projections for each municipality and watershed area are available on our webpage.  These are based on the final tax roll and represent revenue prior to any adjustments due to credits, reductions, exemptions, or appeals.
• The Safe, Clean Water Program tax will be shown as a line item titled “Safe Clean Water” on upcoming property tax bills.  Parcel owners will begin receiving these bills in October.   

• Application forms and the corresponding Procedures and Guidelines related to tax appeals, exemptions, and credits are available here.
• Tax bills include the Safe, Clean Water Program hotline and staff will be prepared to address all inquiries: 1-833-ASK-SCWP (833-275-7297).

General Community Outreach/Engagement:  The District intends to host several events this fall and winter to further engage with the public about the Safe, Clean Water Program.  Efforts will focus in Disadvantaged Communities and aim to maximize both awareness of and participation in the Safe, Clean Water Program processes.

Regional Program Implementation: 50% of Safe, Clean Water Program revenues will be dedicated to implementing watershed based multi-benefit projects and regional programs/studies. 

• Call for Regional Program Projects in Fall 2019
  • Next month, the District intends to initiate a call for regional projects including:
    • Projects (with completed feasibility studies) to be funded through the Infrastructure Program
    • Concepts to be developed through the Technical Resources Program funding.
    • Studies to be funded through the Scientific Studies Program.
  • The SCW Regional Program Projects Module and Feasibility Study Guidelines are available here.
  • Draft Fund Transfer Agreements are under development by District staff and are expected to be available for public review and comment later in fall 2019.

• Governance Committees
  • The nine Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs), the Scoring Committee, and the Regional Oversight Committee (ROC), which make recommendations to the LA County Board of Supervisors regarding funding allocations for the Regional Program, are planning to hold their first meetings in late October or early November. Details are being provided to committee members and will be posted on our webpage. 
  • Operating Guidelines for each committee are available. See Supplemental Documents, above.
  • Following the Call for Projects and first meetings, committees will begin development of Stormwater Investment Plans – 5-year funding proposals for each of nine Watershed Areas in the Flood Control District. Meetings will include opportunities for public input and resulting recommendations will be brought to the LA County Board of Supervisors for approval.

• Technical Resources
  • The District will provide Technical Assistance Teams to support the development of Feasibility Studies for approved concepts.
  • Watershed Coordinators are built into each WASC to educate and build capacity in communities, facilitate community and stakeholder engagement, and provide connections to technical resources.
  • A Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSQ) for the Watershed Coordinator positions is anticipated to be released in late Fall 2019. Each WASC will ultimately select their Watershed Coordinator(s) for the District to hire. 

Municipal Program Implementation: 40% of funds will be allocated directly to municipalities.

• Draft Fund Transfer Agreements are under development by District staff and are expected to be available for public review and comment later in fall 2019 (in conjunction with the Transfer Agreements for the Regional Program)

District Program Implementation: 10% of funds will be utilized by the District for education programs, workforce training, District projects, and overall program administration. 

• District education and workforce training programs are in early development stages by the District. Each of these efforts will include an opportunity for stakeholder input.

General Anticipated Timeline:

Below is a graphical summary of the anticipated timeline for next steps in implementation.

Anticipated Implementation Timeline (click to enlarge)

If you have any questions, please contact us at: 

• SafeCleanWaterLA.org
• SafeCleanWaterLA@pw.lacounty.gov
• 1-833-ASK-SCWP or 1-833-275-7297