FAQs • I live in an “inactive” CSA. What does that mean?

I live in an “inactive” CSA. What does that mean?: Inactive CSAs are areas where the property owners have not approved a funding source such as a special assessment or special tax. These CSAs do not receive annual reports or have a formal maintenance program in place since the funds have not been approved to prepare or administer them. Maintenance or repair work is done as funds allow. Since the 2009 changes in California County Service Area law now requires CSAs to be perpetually funded, a CSA with no source of income may be considered for dissolution.

Special Districts

1. Why is my neighborhood a County Service Area?: Tuolumne County has not taken new subdivision roads into the County maintained system since 1989. It is likely that a condition of approval to build your neighborhood required a County Service Area to be formed as a mechanism to fund road maintenance services.

2. Why are my County Service Area roads not plowed at the same time as the nearby County road?: County Service areas receive snow removal services contracted through local vendors. Three snow plow zones have been created to maximize service delivery. Plowing in CSAs is not done by County Road Crews.

3. Can we put a gate up on our County Service Area road so that non-residents can’t get in?: No. County Service Area roads are dedicated for public use.

4. There’s a streetlight out in my neighborhood. How can I report it?: Streetlight repair is done by PG&E but Public Works staff can report the outage to PG&E for you. Please provide the number on the pole (if possible) and a cross street. Please note that if the light is not in an established lighting district, the light may be privately owned and there is a possibility the owner of the light has terminated the service contract with PG&E. If you want to report the outage yourself to PG&E you can do it
online.

5. I live on a private road and want to create a Permanent Road Division Zone of Benefit so we can all chip in for road maintenance. How can I do that?: First, informally check with your neighbors to see if they feel the same way as a PRD zone of benefit special tax for road maintenance requires a 2/3 approval and there are setup and administrative charges involved. If they seem positive regarding the basic idea, circulate a petition with the property owners and submit it to Public Works so that staff can prepare some preliminary estimates regarding how to proceed and what the costs would be.

6. How can I find out how much my parcel pays into the CSA?: Property owners in active CSAs are mailed annual reports each spring. The reports are also posted on this website. Look for your CSA’s report and find your parcel number.

7. I live in an “inactive” CSA. What does that mean?: Inactive CSAs are areas where the property owners have not approved a funding source such as a special assessment or special tax. These CSAs do not receive annual reports or have a formal maintenance program in place since the funds have not been approved to prepare or administer them. Maintenance or repair work is done as funds allow. Since the 2009 changes in California County Service Area law now requires CSAs to be perpetually funded, a CSA with no source of income may be considered for dissolution.

8. There used to be a County Service Area in my neighborhood but it was dissolved. Who is maintaining the roads now?: Your road is still dedicated for public use, but is now privately maintained. The individual property owners are responsible for maintenance on privately maintained roads.

9. What is the governing body for the CSA? Can’t we just call the County and get the funds released so we can do maintenance work ourselves: The Board of Supervisors is the governing body regarding the administration of County Service Area funds. Contracted services in County Service Areas are subject to the Public Contract Code.

10. How do I pay my special assessment or special tax?: Any charges for road maintenance for parcels in special districts such as a County Service Area or a Permanent Road Division zone of benefit are line items billed along with your property taxes.