Could El Dorado Hills soon swap its county roots for city status? While the conversation is gaining momentum, don’t expect a new city hall to pop up overnight. The road to cityhood is long and winding, and for now, the community is just gearing up for the first step. On April 3, a special Board meeting will be held to initiate discussions with the El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). Representatives from the cityhood proponent group, El Dorado Hills Citizens For Cityhood, alongside Shiva Frentzen from LAFCO, will present detailed insights into the incorporation process.
The push for cityhood gained momentum on March 13, when the proponents presented their case to the El Dorado Hills Community Services District (CSD) Board of Directors. Following the presentation, the Board approved advancing the cityhood process. The District will now formally apply to LAFCO to further explore the feasibility of cityhood, with costs for this phase split equally between the District and the proponents.
El Dorado Hills, with a population of over 50,000 residents, makes up approximately 26% of El Dorado County’s population. Despite its size and economic contributions, most local decisions are made by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, with only one supervisor representing the community. Proponents argue that this structure is ineffective for a community of its size, with cityhood offering greater local control and direct representation.
A key point emphasized in the presentation was the financial imbalance. Proponents stated that El Dorado Hills contributes nearly 30% of the county’s tax base, yet receives far fewer services in return compared to what it generates. Becoming a city would allow the community to retain more of its tax revenue, using those funds for roads, public safety, parks, and other essential services, according to the presentation by El Dorado Hills Citizens For Cityhood.
The proponents further highlighted that El Dorado Hills’ contributions act as a financial advantage to the county, with county leadership having little incentive to change the status quo. They referred to El Dorado Hills as a “cash cow” for the county, asserting that incorporation would ensure tax revenue is reinvested locally instead.
In early 2023, the El Dorado Hills CSD commissioned GRA and McGuire Research to conduct a comprehensive community survey. The survey was designed to gauge residents’ thoughts on incorporation, local governance, and public services. According to the results presented at the April 13, 2023, Board of Directors meeting, a significant majority of respondents supported further exploration of cityhood.
Residents voiced strong interest in increased local control, more responsive governance, and improved allocation of local tax dollars. Many participants expressed concerns over the county’s ability to address El Dorado Hills’ growing needs. Additionally, respondents supported cityhood as a potential means of enhancing community planning and maintaining the character of the region.
What Cityhood Could Mean for El Dorado Hills
If the incorporation moves forward, El Dorado Hills would establish its own city government, led by a five-member city council elected by residents. Responsibilities currently managed by the county, including law enforcement, zoning, planning, and road maintenance, would shift to the city. Parks and recreation, which are currently managed by the CSD, would also be absorbed into the new city government.
Proponents argue that having a dedicated city council would enable faster decision-making and more responsive governance. Law enforcement services would also see changes, with the possibility of establishing a local police department solely focused on El Dorado Hills. Proponents further highlighted that affordable housing mandates could be managed with greater flexibility under city governance, ensuring that the community’s character is preserved, according to the presentation by El Dorado Hills Citizens For Cityhood.
Cityhood would also grant the community more control over future development. Proponents pointed to past frustrations with the county’s development decisions, including large-scale projects and rezoning proposals. With cityhood, the community could have a stronger voice in shaping growth and ensuring development aligns with local priorities.
The presentation emphasized that cityhood would not mean new taxes. Proponents committed to advancing the cityhood effort only if it could be achieved without increasing taxes. They explained that the incorporation process involves a Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis (CFA) that will provide a clear assessment of the city’s financial feasibility. If the CFA reveals that cityhood would require raising taxes, the effort will be abandoned before proceeding to a public vote.
The CFA, along with an environmental review, will offer further clarity on the city’s projected revenue, expenses, and overall sustainability. Costs for these studies are estimated to range from $300,000 to $600,000, with cityhood proponents having already raised $200,000 to contribute to these efforts, according to the presentation by El Dorado Hills Citizens For Cityhood.
In the event cityhood moves forward, governance would transition to a local city council. Proponents expressed confidence in the proposed leadership model, emphasizing that council members would be directly accountable to residents. The new city government would manage essential services, streamline decision-making, and maintain closer ties to the community.
Next Steps and Community Involvement
The April 3 meeting will be the first formal step in the cityhood application process. Following that, the CFA and an environmental review will be completed. Residents will have opportunities to provide input throughout the process, with the CSD planning additional public meetings and informational sessions.
The proponents remain optimistic, believing that cityhood will provide El Dorado Hills with financial independence, stronger local control, and improved public services. Community members are encouraged to stay informed and participate in discussions to help shape the future of El Dorado Hills.
For ongoing updates and information on the cityhood process, including upcoming meetings and presentations, residents can visit the El Dorado Hills Community Services District’s cityhood page at www.eldoradohillscsd.org/about/cityhood.php.
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