Adopted 2.18.2025

Municipal Services Review and Sphere of Influence Update Trinity County Waterworks District #1 Adopted February 18, 2025 Trinity Local Agency Formation Commission www.trinitylafco.org Rd h clu G er art C d Br a dy R d Buck Ln R ke e rC g iB New C ount ry 056-026 E w i n g dR R e s e r v o i r n L a Vist N d R 056-001 h ulc G Cedar 056-015 HyampomRd Av e RiverviewRd O ak e 3 TuleCreekRd 056-005 est Av 056-004 056-025 F or Morgan Hill Rd OldAirportRd d R Dirt 056-010 056-008 K in g sb u ry R 056-023 d Adopted SOI Rourke R a n Trinity County ch Rd 056-024 Waterworks No.1 Parcels ± Trinity County Waterworks No.1 TRAs 0 0.25 0.5 TRAs Mi Trinity County Waterworks No.1 SOI Adopted February 18, 2025 TRAs Trinity LAFCo Resolution Sources: Esri, TomTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community 2025-01 Parcels: Trinity County GIS 2/12/2025 Trinity County Water Works No.1 Boundary: Trinity LAFCo TRAs: BOE Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane California I FIPS 0401 Feet Trinity LAFCo February 2025 1.0 T RINITY C OUNTY W ATERWORKS D ISTRICT #1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.1 District Background ...................................................................................................................... 2 Agency Overview .................................................................................................................... 2 District Principal Act ................................................................................................................. 2 Formation and Development ................................................................................................. 2 Boundary and Sphere of Influence ....................................................................................... 5 Proposed SOI Expansion and Annexation ............................................................................ 5 Land Use and Zoning ............................................................................................................... 6 Growth and Population .......................................................................................................... 6 Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities .................................................................... 7 1.2 Governance and Structure ......................................................................................................... 7 Governing Body ....................................................................................................................... 7 Staffing ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Accountability and Transparency ......................................................................................... 8 1.3 Services and Infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 9 Service Overview ..................................................................................................................... 9 Water ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Wastewater ............................................................................................................................ 10 Recreation .............................................................................................................................. 12 Other Service Providers ......................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Financing ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Financial Overview ................................................................................................................ 14 1.5 Municipal Service Review Determinations .............................................................................. 16 1.6 Sphere of Influence Determinations ........................................................................................ 18 List of Figures Figure 1: Boundary and Proposed SOI ................................................................................................. 3 Figure 2: Land Use ................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 3: Ewing Dam Construction Profile ............................................................................................ 9 Figure 4: Original Wastewater Treatment System Design Schematic ............................................. 11 List of Tables Table 1: TCWWD #1 Contact Information ........................................................................................... 2 Table 2: Land Use Summary .................................................................................................................. 6 Table 3: Board of Directors .................................................................................................................... 7 Table 4: SB929 Website Posting Requirements .................................................................................... 8 Table 5: Influent Treated by Wastewater Treatment System 2024 .................................................. 11 Table 6: State Controller's Office Summary ....................................................................................... 14 Table 7: Audited Financial Statement Summary ............................................................................... 15 Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [1] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 1.1 DISTRICT BACKGROUND Agency Overview Trinity County Waterworks District #1 (“TCWWD #1” or “District”) provides potable water and wastewater services to the community of Hayfork, located in central Trinity County along Highway 3. Hayfork is situated in the Hayfork Valley, bordered by Hayfork Creek and surrounded by mountainous terrain including several notable peaks such as Wells Mountain, Thompson Peak, and Plummer Peak. The District is responsible for operating and maintaining the community’s water supply and wastewater infrastructure, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. TCWWD #1 serves a primarily residential population, along with commercial and institutional customers. The district faces challenges common to rural water systems, including aging infrastructure, limited funding for capital improvements, and the need for long-term sustainability planning. Table 1: TCWWD #1 Contact Information Primary Contact Shane McDonald, General Manager E-mail Address shane@trinitycountywaterworks.com Physical/Mailing Address 320 Reservoir Road, Hayfork, CA 96041 Phone Number (530) 628-5449 Website trinitycountywaterworks.com District Principal Act The District’s principal act is the County Waterworks District Law established by California Water Code §55000 et seq. Under this law the District may provide inhabitants of the district with water for irrigation, domestic, industrial, or fire protection purposes. In addition to potable water, the District may engage in sewage collection, treatment, and disposal where authorized, ensuring wastewater is managed in a manner that protects public health and the environment. Formation and Development In late 1950, a petition was submitted to the Trinity County Board of Supervisors requesting the formation of a public agency to provide water services to the Hayfork area. Recognizing the growing need for a reliable water supply system, the Board of Supervisors accepted the petition on December 27, 1950, and called for a special election to determine public support for the formation of the district. On January 16, 1951, Hayfork residents overwhelmingly approved the formation of TCWWD #1, with 79 percent voting in favor. Along with the district’s formation, voters also approved a bonded indebtedness of $230,000 to finance the acquisition, construction, installation, extension, repair and maintenance of waterworks, structures and appliances for the district and the acquisition, by purchase, condemnation, lease or otherwise, of lands, rights of way, water, water rights and water service necessary or convenient for such purpose. On January 23, 1951, the Board of Supervisors officially certified the election results and declared the District formed. Since its formation, the District has played a crucial role in providing potable water services to the Hayfork community, adapting to changing needs, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure demands over time. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [2] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 Figure 1: Boundary and Proposed SOI Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [3] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 Figure 2: Land Use Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [4] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 Boundary and Sphere of Influence The original boundary of TCWWD #1 was established in 1951 encompassing approximately 2,897 acres (4.5 square miles). In 1985, the District’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) was formally established and made coterminous with the district boundary. At that time, the District’s active powers were identified as water and park and recreation services, while all other powers remained latent1. In the late 1990’s, the District secured multiple funding sources, including a Small Communities Grant from the State Water Resources Control Board, USDA Rural Development grant/loan funding, and Community Development Block Grant funds, to construct a sewer system for Hayfork2. An improvement bond and assessment district were later approved, and wastewater services were provided shortly after3. Since its formation, the District has undergone several boundary and SOI modifications to accommodate service needs. The most recent boundary changes include: • In 2013, Resolution No. LAFCO-13-03 approved the annexation of approximately 160 acres along North Vista Lane on the northern boundary of the District. • In 2018, Resolution No. LAFCO-18-02 approved annexation of approximately 38.58 acres along Tule Creek Road just west of Highway 3. Proposed SOI Expansion and Annexation The District has submitted applications for annexation for two separate properties adjacent to the current boundary. In response, LAFCo proposes expanding the District’s SOI to include these parcels, as shown in Figure 1. The proposed annexation areas include: • APN 014-430-051 – located on Horse Tail Hill Road The proposed annexation area is located on the north side of Horse Tail Hill Road at Cedar Gulch Road and consists of a single parcel of 20.22 acres that is developed with various out buildings and greenhouses that support a cannabis farm. The parcel is currently designated as Agricultural (A) under the Trinity County General Plan – Hayfork Community Plan and zoned Agricultural – Minimum 20 acres (A-20) with a Flood Hazard (FH) overlay due to its proximity to the natural drainage feature Cedar Gulch. The proposed annexation would provide potable water service to a licensed cannabis farm that has 10 permitted structures and a 420-foot dry well on the property. • APN 014-430-029 – located on Hyampom Road The proposed annexation area is located on the south side of Hyampom Road at Cedar Gulch Road and consists of a single parcel of 23.86 acres that is developed with a single- family residence and various outbuildings. The parcel is currently designated as Agricultural (A) under the Trinity County General Plan – Hayfork Community Plan and zoned Agricultural – Minimum 10 acres (A-10) with a Flood Hazard (FH) overlay due to its proximity to the natural drainage feature Cedar Gulch. The proposed annexation would provide potable water service to an existing residence that has a documented failing well that can no longer provide adequate service to the property. Additionally, the District provides water service to one out-of-agency connection along Kingsbury Road, south of the District (APN 014-180-066). This 85-acre property has received water service since 2015 but was not annexed at the time due to an adjacent 10-acre parcel (APN 1 Trinity County Planning Department, Trinity County Waterworks District No. 1 Sphere of Influence. July 2, 1985. 2 https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info//agendas/1998/may/0527-03.htm 3 TCWWD #1, Improvement Bond – Hayfork community Sewerage Project Assessment District Series 1999. March 9, 1999. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [5] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 014-180-093) opting out of annexation, which would have otherwise resulted in an entirely surrounded non-district parcel. Both properties are proposed for inclusion in the District’s SOI, allowing for future annexation into the District. Land Use and Zoning Land uses in the District are determined by the Trinity County General Plan and Hayfork Community Plan. Land uses are predominantly low density residential including Rural Residential, Residential Estate, and Single Family Residential. Additional land uses include industrial, public facility, commercial, and Multifamily. Land uses surrounding the District are generally agricultural and residential estates4. Zoning within the District is set by the Hayfork Community Plan. Zoning is predominantly low density residential, commercial, public facility, and agricultural. Table 2: Land Use Summary Land Use Type Acres Percentage % Agricultural 309 8.4 Commercial 628 17.1 Industrial 303 8.3 Multi-Family Residential 95 2.6 Open Space 7 0.2 Public Facility 430 11.7 Resource 301 8.2 Rural Residential 1,443 39.3 Single Family Residential 145 3.9 Other 10 0.3 Total 3,671 100% Growth and Population According to the US Census Bureau Decennial Census data, the total population in Trinity County was 13,786 in 2010 and 16,112 in 2020. This suggests an annual growth rate of approximately 1.57%. In the Hayfork area, the 2010 population was 2,368 and the 2020 population was 2,324, which is an annual growth rate of approximately -0.19%5. Hayfork is noted to be the second largest community in the county with 14.4% of the county’s total population6. The Draft Hayfork Community Plan, part of the Trinity County 2050 General Plan Update, notes that the overall population of the Hayfork area decreased from 1990 to 2020 by approximately 268 people. The change from 2010 to 2020 was recorded to be 10 people, which indicates that the population has seen no significant change over the last decade7. The California Department of Finance periodically releases population estimates for counties and cities throughout the state. According to projections released in September 2024, Trinity 4 Trinity County, Hayfork Community Plan General Plan Land Use Designations, Adopted by Trinity County Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 71-96. November 19, 1996. 5 US Census Bureau, Decennial Census 2010 and 2020 for Trinity County and Hayfork Census Designated Place. DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171), Table P1 – Race. 6 Trinity County 2050 General Plan Update, Public Review Draft Background Report. Section 3.2 Population and Household Trends, and Table 3-2: Total Population by Community, 2010 and 2020. March 2023. Prepared by Mintier Harnish. 7 Trinity County, Hayfork Community Plan – Public Review Draft. October 2024. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [6] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 County is estimated to have a 2030 population of 15,8918. This indicates an anticipated decline in population over the next five years. Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities LAFCo is required to evaluate water service, sewer service, and structural fire protection within disadvantaged unincorporated communities as part of service reviews, including the location and characteristics of any such communities. A disadvantaged unincorporated community (DUC) is defined as any area with 12 or more registered voters where the annual median household income (MHI) is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual MHI (pursuant to Government Code Section 56033.5 and Water Code Section 79505.5). Within a DUC, three basic services are evaluated: water, sewage, and fire protection. According to the American Community Survey, the Hayfork Census Designated Place (CDP) had a 2021 MHI of $40,653 which is 43 percent of the 2021 California MHI of $95,521. This qualifies the area as disadvantaged. In regard to services, water and wastewater services are provided by TCWWD #1 and fire services are provided by the Hayfork Fire Protection District9. 1.2 GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE Governing Body TCWWD #1 is considered a “dependent special district” under Government Code §56032.5, meaning its Board of Directors is appointed by the Trinity County Board of Supervisors. This is in accordance with Water Code §55301 which states that, “The board of supervisors of the county is the governing board of the district unless a board of directors has been appointed under the provisions of this chapter as they existed prior to their repeal at the 1967 Regular Session of the Legislature. Each member of an appointed board of directors in existence on the effective date of the amendment of this section at the 1967 Regular Session of the Legislature shall continue to serve at the pleasure of the board of supervisors of the county, rather than for the term for which he was appointed.” The Board of Supervisors has opted to conduct a review of District Board appointments every four years. Board agendas and notices are posted at least 72 hours in advance of scheduled Board meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors are subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act which require agendas to be posted at least 72 hours in advance of scheduled Board meetings in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public. Table 3: Board of Directors Board Member Title Appointed Appointment Review Angenett Taft Chair Sep 2023 Dec 2026 John C Semer Vice Chair July 2024 Dec 2028 Melody McLearn Board Member July 2022 Dec 2028 Arnold Bridges Board Member Oct 2023 Dec 2028 Diane Yates Board Member July 2007 Dec 2026 8 California Department of Finance, Demographic Research Unit. Report P-2A: Total Estimated and Projected Population for California and Counties, July 1, 2020 to 2070. Released September 2024. 9 American Community Survey 2021 5-Year Estimate, Table S1903: Median Household Income Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [7] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 Staffing The District currently employs four staff including a General Manager/ Chief Operator, Office Manager/ Clerk of the Board, a Lead Plant Operator, and an hourly laborer. The General Manager maintains a T3 treatment certification, a D3 distribution certification, and a wastewater (WWII) certification. The Officer Manager maintains T2, D2, and WW I certifications, and the Lead Plant Operator maintains T2, D2, and WW I certifications. Having multiple trained staff members ensures that the District’s system is monitored and maintained. Accountability and Transparency SB929 was signed into law on September 14, 2018, requiring all independent special districts to have and maintain a website meeting all the special district transparency requirements of State law including the availability of agendas, policies, and financial information by January 1, 2020. TCWWD #1 maintains a website that can be easily accessed by the public and includes online payment options. The following table provides an overview of the District’s compliance with SB929. It is recommended that the District work with their web designer to post their Enterprise System Catalog to bring the website into compliance with SB929. Table 4: SB929 Website Posting Requirements Type of Description of Requirement Is the District in Requirement compliance? District The bill does not state the specific contact information required. Yes. Contact We recommend posting, at a minimum: Information Physical address o Mailing address o Phone number o E-mail address o Most Recent The most recent agenda must be: Yes. Agenda Posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting o Linked on the homepage of the website, navigating directly o to the current agenda Searchable, indexable, and platform-independent (simply o put, post the agenda as a PDF) Financial The State Controller’s report for the District’s Financial Transaction Yes. Transaction report must be posted or linked to the corresponding State Report Controller website. Staff The State Controller’s report for the District’s Staff Compensation Yes. Compensation report must be posted or linked to the corresponding State Report Controller website. Enterprise As required by SB272, the Enterprise System Catalog must be No. System posted. This includes: Catalog Current system vendor o Current System product o System’s purpose o A description of categories or types of data o Department that is the prime data custodian o Frequency in which system data is collected and updated o Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [8] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 1.3 SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE Service Overview In the Hayfork area, the District provides potable water service to residences and businesses and provides wastewater services under the Hayfork Community Sewerage Project Assessment District. Around Ewing reservoir, the District allows for passive recreation but does not actively maintain recreation areas. Water Demand TCWWD #1 has 599 residential connections and 99 commercial connections. The District typically sees peak water flows in summer to early fall. In 2023, peak flows occurred in July with a total demand of 15,378,400 gallons. Peak hourly demand of 628 gpm occurred on June 30, 2023 while the average daily demand for May to September 2023 was 409,500 gallons10. Infrastructure and Facilities TCWWD #1 obtains water through a diversion structure on Big Creek that runs into Ewing Reservoir. The District’s water rights, established in 1952, and confirmed by License 7756 in 1965, allowed for diversion of up to 0.52 cubic feet per second (cfs) year round. Water right Permit #15437, granted in 1967, allows for diversion of up to 820 acre feet. The District is currently allowed to divert water from Big Creek beginning on November 1 through June 30 of each year. Maximum diversion from Big Creek is 14 cfs as long as there is still 15 cfs set aside for fish and downstream irrigation demands along Big Creek11. The District also has water rights for flushing the reservoir and expansion of the reservoir. The original infrastructure of the water system consisted of 1 million gallon reservoir and treatment/pumping plant on Big Creek. However, the design capacity was exceeded in 1964 which prompted a state funded study on the system. After the study was completed in September 1965, it was determined that a reservoir should be constructed in order to provide water to the Hayfork area. Figure 3: Ewing Dam Construction Profile 10 TCWWD #1, Sys No. 5310002, Daily System Measurements for May 2023 through September 2023. 11 North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Big Creek Watershed Assessment Report, July 2008. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [9] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 The Ewing Project was constructed with a Davis-Grunsky Act loan and completed in 1972. The system included the dam and reservoir, diversion facilities, pumping plant, treatment plant and storage tank. The dam was designed to accommodate a 12-foot height increase to later expand the storage capacity of the reservoir. According to the Hayfork Community Plan (Oct 2024 Public Review Draft), dam inundation risks have been assessed for Ewing Reservoir, with an evacuation plan in place. Even in the event of complete dam failure, floodwaters are not a significant threat to people or property, with damage expected to be of a modest nature. TCWWD #1 has prepared an incident action plan and an evacuation plan outlining responsibilities, gathering points, and sources of emergency assistance in case of dam failure. A structural inspection of the dam was done in May 2008. The treatment system consists of a splitter box where coagulant is added to help settle out particulate matter, a clarifier, and a four cell sand filter composed of dual media filters. After treatment, water is disinfected with a chlorine solution before being distributed to the storage and distribution system. The treatment system is limited by the clarifier which can only treat 700- 800 gpm12. As such, running 24 hours a day, the treatment plant can produce up to 1.2 million gallons per day of potable water13. During periods of high demand, when the treatment capacity of the clarifier is exceeded, it can by bypassed so that water flows directly to the filter. However, this is considered inline filtration which is not approved by the state. Storge for the system includes two 500,000 gallon steel tank located near the treatment plant and two 25,000 gallon tanks on North Vista Lane. An additional raw water pipeline was constructed to provide irrigation water for the fairgrounds, Hayfork High School, Hayfork Elementary School, and the cemetery. Separation of potable and non-potable water for major consumers has led to an estimated 20 percent reduction in potable water use14. Water mains in the district consist of PVC (~53%), steel (~37%), and asbestos cement (~10%). The steel pipe ranges from 4 to 12 inches and is reported to be in poor condition. The remaining mains are reported to be in good condition15. Wastewater The District’s wastewater treatment facility consists of an oxidation/ marsh system that provides primary and secondary treatment to wastewater. A schematic of the system is shown in Figure 416. The system is reported to be operating at approximately 25% to 30% capacity. The facility has a septage dump station located near the headworks and accepts sewage trucked from within Trinity County. Updates, maintenance, and new connections to the wastewater system are subject to TCWWD #1’s Sanitary Code (Ordinance 97-1.) The District’s treatment facility has a permit capacity of 0.243 mgd for average dry weather flow and 0.729 mgd for peak wet weather flow. These limits are set by the Waste Discharge Requirements adopted for the District by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (WDID No. 1A97069WNTR). According to the WDR, treated wastewater may be discharged to one of two locations, the Secondary Effluent Percolation Ponds or the golf course for seasonal irrigation. However, in order to discharge to the golf course, the wastewater must be treated by way of a chlorine contact basin. This portion of the treatment system, while included in the original design (Figure 4), was never constructed. Recently, the District Board voted to disband 12 SWRCB, Inspection of TCWWD #1, PWS No. 5310002, Hayfork, Trinity County, CA. March 14, 2023. 13 Watershed Research and Training Center, Water Conservation Measures for the South Fork Trinity River Watershed. Authored by Josh Smith, Cindy Buxton, and Marie Buell. May 2016. 14 Trinity County, Hayfork Community Plan – Public Review Draft. October 2024. 15 SWRCB, Inspection of TCWWD #1, PWS No. 5310002, Hayfork, Trinity County, CA. March 14, 2023. 16 North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Waste Discharge/Reclamation Requirements for Trinity County Waterworks District No. 1 Wastewater Treatment Facility – WDID Nno. 1A97069WNTR. December 6, 2012. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [10] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 the golf course fund and abandon the project. As such, the District will be removing the irrigation system on site and will not discharge any treated wastewater to this area. The wastewater system currently serves 457 connections including 385 residential, 13 multi- family, 37 commercial, and 22 public authority. Based on the District’s flow meter data, the system processed over 31 million gallons of influent in 2024 (Table 5)17. Based on the available data, the system is operating below its permitted dry and wet weather flow rates. Figure 4: Original Wastewater Treatment System Design Schematic Table 5: Influent Treated by Wastewater Treatment System 2024 Month Gallons of Influent Approx. MGD January 4,331,811 0.140 February 4,168,976 0.144 March 2,037,235 0.066 April 1,997,393 0.067 May 1,972,138 0.064 June 1,900,881 0.063 July 1,964,048 0.063 August No Data No Data September 1,820,937 0.061 October 1,969,427 0.064 November 3,432,231 0.114 December 5,354,554 0.173 17 McDonald, Shane. TCWWD #1 General Manager. Personal Communication (email). January 24, 2025. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [11] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 The District participated in a wastewater planning grant that looked at potential upgrades to the system in order to provide recycled water for irrigation. It was determined that the cost of the upgrades was too high for the limited production of recycled water and would be a detriment to the District18. As such, they will not be moving forward with upgrades to the treatment system and will continue to utilize the onsite percolation ponds. Recreation TCWWD #1 maintains the main trail around the edge of the Ewing Reservoir for year-round hiking and fishing. They also provide three vaulted restrooms and several trashcans within the picnic area with ten concrete picnic tables. The trashcans and restrooms are serviced weekly19. Additional multi-use trails are available for public use on adjacent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed lands above the Ewing Reservoir. Other Service Providers Solid Waste Disposal Trinity County Solid Waste Disposal Services provides residential and commercial disposal services to select areas within Trinity County. The Hayfork Transfer Station, located at 372 Dump Road in Hayfork, serves as a designated site for permitted solid waste disposal. Electricity and Natural Gas Trinity Public Utilities District (TPUD), headquartered in Weaverville, functions as the primary electrical utility for a substantial portion of Trinity County. TPUD purchases its power from the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) pursuant to a first preference right to power produced by the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project20. TPUD does not operate any generation assets but instead provides sub-transmission and electricity distribution to approximately 12,000 customers in a 2,200 square mile area in Trinity County. There are nine substations which are both owned and operated by both WAPA (five served from this transmission system) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) (four served from this transmission system). Trinity County has eight hydroelectric facilities that are either operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation or privately owned. These facilities are part of California’s Central Valley Project and generate hydroelectric power. Energy produced by these facilities is managed by WAPA and transmitted to customers by TPUD. PG&E is the only designated natural gas provider in the County. However, despite this designation, PG&E does not offer natural gas service to most areas within the County, leaving residents to rely on propane for natural gas needs. Hayfork Lighting and Maintenance District The Hayfork Lighting Maintenance District was formed in 1947. TPUD operates and maintains the district’s streetlights.21 Emergency Medical Services / Ambulance Transport Trinity Life Support Community Services District (TLSCSD) operates out of Hayfork and Weaverville and is staffed by EMT-1 and Paramedic level emergency personnel in contract with Mountain Communities Healthcare District. The Hayfork ambulance is not always staffed at an Advanced Life Support (ALS) level. If they are operating at Basic Life Support (BLS) level, they take the patient to Hayfork and meet the ALS ambulance that drives from Weaverville or meet a 18 McDonald, Shane. TCWWD #1 General Manager. Personal Communication (email). January 24, 2025. 19 McDonald, Shane. TCWWD #1 General Manager. Personal Communication (email). January 24, 2025. 20 Trinity River Division Act of 1955 21 Hayfork Community Plan. Public Review Draft. October 2024. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [12] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 helicopter for transport. TLSCSD recently applied to USDA Rural Development for grant assistance to purchase two new ambulances, one in Weaverville and one in Hayfork. Hayfork Fire Protection District Hayfork Fire Protection District was established in 1949 and provides fire protection, rescue, and emergency response services to the greater Hayfork area. Operating from a single station at 195 Hyampom Road, the District maintains a fleet that includes two Type 1 engines, a Type 6 wildland truck, and a water tender, all equipped with fire gear, tools, and other necessary equipment. With an average of 17-19 active volunteer members, the District responds to an average of 20-30 calls per month or 285 calls per year, including medical emergencies, fires, motor vehicle accidents, and other incidents 24/7 while conducting weekly training sessions to maintain readiness. The District plays a critical role in wildfire response in coordination with CAL FIRE and the Forest Service and participating in strike teams as needed. The District faces challenges such as volunteer recruitment, aging equipment, and the need to complete the Main Station facility. Once completed, this facility could enhance emergency response capabilities by serving as a command center and dispatch hub during major incidents. Law Enforcement Law enforcement is provided by the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, that operates a substation at 6641 SR 3 in Hayfork. The substation facility shares space with the Hayfork Branch of the Trinity County Library System and a social services office. The California Highway Patrol is responsible for traffic control for State Route State Route 3, which passes through the District. Parks and Recreation Parks and recreation services are primarily provided by the Greater Hayfork Valley Park and Recreation District. They are responsible for the maintenance and management of the Hayfork Park and Pool located next to the Hayfork Elementary School located on Community Drive. The District received voter approval for a new $30 per year per parcel special tax in November 2024 (Measure M) to provide a dedicated source of local funding for the Hayfork Park and Pool. The Trinity County Fairgrounds, located in southern Hayfork on SR 3, is the largest event space in Trinity County. It features pavilions, large event spaces, a commercial kitchen, RV hookups, camping facilities, and U-Haul rentals. The Fairgrounds are managed by the Trinity County Fair Association Board, overseeing operations and usage, including the annual Trinity County Fair. Resource Conservation The Trinity County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD) is a countywide agency that protects and manages the natural resources of Trinity County through the provision of technical assistance and the implementation of projects and programs. The TCRCD also engages in educational programs and works to increase education on conservation throughout the County. The TCRCD engages in numerous wildfire mitigation projects including the implementation of the Trinity County Wildfire Mitigation Project and a myriad of fuels reductions and defensible space projects. For over 20 years, the TCRCD has engaged in fuels reductions projects that have resulted in the thinning of thousands of acres throughout the County’s forests. Additionally, the TCRCD is in close collaboration with the Trinity County Fire Safe Council (TCFSC) in the development of the Trinity County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and the 2010, 2015, and 2020 updates to the Trinity County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [13] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 1.4 FINANCING Financial Overview TCWWD #1 conducts financial budgeting and reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and waterworks district law. Budgets are adopted annually for the upcoming fiscal year and account planned revenues and expenses. The most recent budget, for FY2024-25 shows a projected income of $757,000 and expenses of $756,933. While the last several years of budgets show a net gain from year to year, the annual budgets do not account for deprecation of assets. When looking at the District’s overall net position, there is a noted decrease from $8,117,840 in FY2021-22 to $7,351,808 in FY2022-23. State Controller’s Office The District files an annual summary report of financial transactions with the State Controller’s Office. These reported figures are public and can be accessed online at https://bythenumbers.sco.ca.gov/. A summary of the last six fiscal years available is provided in the table below. According to the information available, TCWWD #1 continues to operate at a loss. This can is likely due to depreciation of assets which totaled $355,601 in FY2022-23. Table 6: State Controller's Office Summary FY 2017-18 FY 2018-19 FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 Revenues $722,073 $1,133,147 $817,173 $1,070,749 $1,110,372 $1,257,707 Water 506,251 907,582 592,654 826,638 870,261 1,014,993 Wastewater 215,456 225,565 224,519 244,111 240,111 242,714 Governmental 366 Expenditures $947,336 $996,066 $1,053,713 $1,229,173 $1,216,338 $1,444,267 Water 644,485 699,316 761,463 933,363 912,438 1,140,367 Wastewater 293,385 296,750 292,250 295,810 303,900 303,900 Governmental 9,466 - - - - Net Gain/(Loss) (-225,263) (-137,081) (-236,540) (-158,424) (-105,966) (-186,560) Audited Financials The District completes an annual audit with the last available audit being for FY2022-23. Based on the audited financial reports, TCWWD #1 has seen a loss over the last three fiscal years. This can be largely attributed to a decline in water sales that started in FY2020-21. The District may want to consider conducting a rate study in order to assess the appropriate rate levels to cover operating costs and plan for future maintenance and repairs. The most recent financial audit for the District did not separate expenses by enterprise fund so it is unknown if water, wastewater, and irrigation expenses are increasing or decreasing from previous years. However, from the FY2022-23 audit, it can be seen that the largest expense was for plant operation contract services at $307,345, asset depreciation at $361,777, grant expenses at $403,678. Property taxes are received under the “Teeter Bill Program” which allows the District to receive 100% of levied taxes in periodic payments from the County. The County assumes responsibility for any delinquencies. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [14] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 Table 7: Audited Financial Statement Summary FY 2018-2019 FY 2019-2020 FY 2020-2021 FY 2021-2022 FY 2022-2023 Revenues $1,133,147 $1,133,157 $1,118,561 $1,110,372 $1,372,241 Water 802,505 802,505 709,758 581,964 505,004 Wastewater 225,565 225,565 244,111 240,111 249,399 Irrigation 20,196 20,206 27,622 31,025 - Other Operating - - - - 3,790 Taxes 32,783 32,783 27,587 - 32,728 Grants - - 47,575 206,646 471,455 Other General 52,098 52,098 61,908 50,626 109,865 Expenditures $996,266 $996,266 $1,220,014 $1,190,705 $1,458,210 Water 673,666 673,666 893,854 856,455 - Wastewater 292,250 292,250 295,810 303,900 - Irrigation 30,350 30,350 30,350 30,350 - Other General - - - - 1,458,210 Net Gain/(Loss) $136,881 136,891 (-101,453) (-80,333) (-85,969) Long Term Debt The District has two sources of long-term debt including a Davis-Grunsky loan from DWR and a Assessment District Improvement Bond from USDA Rural Development. The Davis-Grunsky loan was obtained in 1972 to build the Ewing Dam and is set to be fully paid off in 2033. In 2024, payments on the loan are expected to total $16,714. In June of 1997, the District adopted Resolution of Intention No. 6-24-97C for application to receive a USDA Rural Development bond to develop a wastewater system. The original principal amount of $1,103,750 was reduced in August 2000 by a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. Bond repayments are set to fully mature in 2083 with interest payable in March and September22. In FY2023-24, payments are expected to total $78,807. 22 TCWWD #1, Improvement Bond – Hayfork Community Sewerage Project Assessment District Series 1999. Bond No. R-1. Authenticated March 9, 1999. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [15] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 1.5 MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS As set forth in Section 56430(a) of the CKH Act- In order to prepare and to update the SOI in accordance with Section 56425, the commission shall conduct a service review of the municipal services provided in the county or other appropriate area designated by the commission. The commission shall include in the area designated for a service review the county, the region, the sub-region, or any other geographic area as is appropriate for an analysis of the service or services to be reviewed, and shall prepare a written statement of its determinations with respect to each of the following: (1) Growth and population projections for the affected area a) Based on the available population data for the Hayfork area, there is an estimated 2,300 people living in the area. The California Department of Finance estimates that there will be an overall decline in the population of Trinity County over the next five years. As such, the population within TCWWD #1 is anticipated to remain consistent or slightly decline over the next five to ten years. (2) The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence a) The Hayfork CDP had a 2021 MHI of $40,653 which is 43 percent of the California MHI which qualifies the area as a DUC. b) Water and wastewater services are sufficiently provided to the Hayfork area by TCWWD #1. Fire and emergency services are currently provided by the Hayfork Fire Protection District. (3) Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services, including infrastructure needs or deficiencies a) TCWWD #1 maintains water rights for diversion of water from Big Creek. The District is able to divert up to 14 cfs from the creek as long as there is still 15 cfs flowing through the creek for fish and downstream irrigation. Additionally, the District may divert up to a maximum of 820 acre feet per year. b) The District’s water treatment plant is limited by the clarifier which can process 700-800 gpm. During periods of peak demand, this capacity may be exceeded which indicates the District may want to consider upgrading to the system to help meet peak demands. c) TCWWD #1’s wastewater treatment system has sufficient capacity to meet the demands of the area. However, since the chlorine contact basin for the system was never constructed, they are unable to utilize treated water for irrigation. d) The District maintains limited recreation around Ewing Reservoir which allows residents and visitors to hike and fish year round. (4) Financing ability of agencies to provide services a) Based on information available from the State Controller’s Office, the TCWWD #1 has been operating at a loss over the last six fiscal years. This is largely due to the depreciation of assets which in FY2022-23, totaled $355,601. b) According to the District’s audited financial statements, they have been operating at a loss for three of the five fiscal years reviewed. The largest expenses for District include plant operation contract services and asset depreciation. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [16] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 (5) Status of and opportunities for shared facilities a) Due to the District’s location, there is limited opportunity for shared services. (6) Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies a) The District maintains a website that provides information about the District including the rate schedule, billing information, board meetings, and financial reports. The website is generally in compliance with SB929 except that there is no enterprise system catalog posted. b) The District holds regular board meetings that are open to the public. Meeting agendas are posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. (7) Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery a) No other matters at this time. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [17] Trinity LAFCo February 2025 1.6 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS In order to carry out its purposes and responsibilities for planning and shaping the logical and orderly development of local governmental agencies to advantageously provide for the present and future needs of the county and its communities, the commission shall develop and determine the sphere of influence of each local agency, as defined by G.C. Section 56036, and enact policies designed to promote the logical and orderly development of areas within the sphere. In determining the sphere of influence of each local agency, the commission shall consider and prepare a written statement of its determinations with respect to the following: (1) Present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands a) Land uses within the District are predominantly low density residential with some industrial, public facility, commercial, and multifamily. Land uses surrounding the District are generally agricultural and residential estates. (2) Present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area a) Hayfork is the second largest community in Trinity County and accounts for roughly 14 percent of the County’s total population. There is a small central commercial area along Highway 3 with surrounding residential and agricultural uses. This indicates a present and probable need for continued water and wastewater services in the area. (3) Present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide a) TCWWD #1 currently maintains a wastewater treatment facility that has sufficient capacity to meet current and future needs for the area. b) TCWWD #1 has sufficient water supply to meet the current needs of District customers. However, during times of peak demand, the treatment capacity of the system may be exceeded. (4) Existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they are relevant to the agency a) The community of Post Mountain is located approximately 30 minutes south of Hayfork and has limited services. As such, it is likely that residents from the area frequent Hayfork for health services, educational needs, shopping, and more. (5) For an update of a sphere of influence of a city or special district that provides public facilities or services related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire protection, the present and probable need for those public facilities and services of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere. a) Since the area qualifies as a DUC, careful consideration should be given to the provision of water, wastewater, and fire services. TCWWD #1 is able to provide sufficient water and wastewater services to the area. Hayfork Fire Protection District provides fire and emergency services to the area. b) LAFCo recommends increasing the SOI for the District to include four parcels adjacent to the current District boundary that are anticipated to be annexed. These include APNs 014-430-051 on Horse Tail Hill Road, 014-430-029 on Hyampom Road, and 014-180-066 and 014-180-093 on Kingsbury Road. Trinity County Waterworks District #1 MSR & SOI Update [18]