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On February 4, special district leaders in the Central Valley and across the state from the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) recognized State Senator Melissa Hurtado (SD-14) as their State Senate Legislator of the Year during a ceremony hosted by the Fresno County Fire Protection District. A week prior, on January 24, special district officials recognized Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) as their Federal Legislator of the Year at an event held at the Santa Maria Public Airport District. 


Photo: Assemblymember Robert Rivas (AD-30) has been awarded the State Assembly Legislator of the Year and will be honored at a future date.


CSDA annually recognizes state and federal legislators that are exemplary leaders and steadfast supporters of the local service specialists responsible for providing water, sanitation, fire protection, parks, healthcare and other essential services and infrastructure to communities throughout California.

In 2021, Senator Hurtado was instrumental in securing $100 million in California’s State Budget for special districts’ COVID-19 fiscal relief. The senator successfully organized a 46-member, bipartisan, and bicameral coalition of state legislators who urged Governor Gavin Newsom to extend COVID-19 relief funding access to special districts. This funding was CSDA’s top priority for 2021, and the organization’s partnership with special districts and engagement with state and federal officials resulted in its approval.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Carbajal has served as a leading congressional voice advocating for funding relief for special districts.  He organized two congressional sign-on letters encouraging the State Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom to provide COVID-19 relief to special districts.

Assemblymember Robert Rivas also played a critical role in supporting special districts’ ability to effectively govern during the pandemic and other emergencies. He authored CSDA-sponsored Assembly Bill 361, which was signed into law as urgency legislation to allow local agencies to conduct remote board meetings during declared emergencies in a safe and accessible manner.

“A majority of special districts across the state financially struggled after widespread exclusion from pandemic assistance for state and local governments,” said CSDA Board President Ryan Clausnitzer, General Manager of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District. “That changed after Senator Hurtado’s leadership and organization of a legislative coalition supporting specific state funding for special districts’ COVID-19 response and recovery.” When honoring Congressman Carbajal, Clausnitzer stated, “We are so fortunate to have a member of Congress who understands the value that special districts bring to a community and is willing to advocate for their equitable funding.”

“With this funding, often forgotten and left behind rural communities, like Calwa Recreation and Park District – that are special districts will get some relief,” said Senator Hurtado. “I am honored to be recognized, and will continue to fight to ensure California’s Special Districts – who serve so many – are able to continue to provide their vital services.”

"I'm honored to be named the Federal Legislator of the Year by California Special Districts Association. I will always advocate for special districts on the Central Coast who provide essential services for our community," said Representative Carbajal. "For the last two years during the pandemic, I've fought for special districts to be able to access critical COVID-19 relief funds so they can continue providing the services that the Central Coast relies on."

Photo: Congressman Salud Carbajal receives CSDA Legislator of the Year award at Santa Maria Public Airport District; pictured left-to-right: Ryan Clausnitzer, CSDA Board President and General Manager of Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District; Congressman Salud Carbajal; Elaine Magner, CSDA Board Vice-President and Vice-Chair of the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District

 The Fresno County Fire Protection District, where Senator Hurtado accepted the award, received an $867,207 allocation from the $100 million special districts COVID-19 recovery fund that Senator Hurtado supported. The fund was dispersed to 263 independent districts across the state.

“The Fresno County Fire Protection District extends our utmost appreciation for Senator Melissa Hurtado’s commitment, support and guidance of state special districts,” said Dan Urias, Fresno County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief. “Senator Hurtado’s leadership and foresight has aided in our Fire department’s successful navigation through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Other local officials praised the selection of Congressman Carbajal for CSDA’s annual award. Vandenberg Village CSD Board President Christopher Brooks stated, “We applaud Congressman Carbajal’s strong support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and appreciate that he supports legislation which focuses on a climate resilient future for my grandchildren.”

CSDA and special districts across the state invite state legislative representatives and the public to get to know the special district leaders who provide essential services to local communities. The Association launched a public outreach campaign titled “Districts Make the Difference” to connect people with the special districts that help California thrive. Additional information can be found at: www.districtsmakethedifference.org.

More than 2,000 independent special districts provide essential public services in communities across California that other governments do not otherwise provide. Elected or appointed boards of directors govern each district to oversee delivery of services to diverse communities and regions throughout the state. CSDA represents more than 1,000 districts in the state legislature and provides professional development and training opportunities for districts’ good governance practices.