Tuesday, August 26, 2025
7:00 AM—6:00 PM
Conference Registration Hours
7:30 AM—8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
7:30 AM—8:30 AM
CSDA Board Meeting
7:30 AM—6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall Hours
8:45 AM—10:45 AM
Opening General Session and Keynote: Game Plan for Success
Sponsored by 
Joe Theismann, Former Star Quarterback, Emmy Award-Winning NFL Analyst, Entrepreneur & Author
This dynamic presentation outlines the game plan that brought Joe Theismann success both on and off the football field. Former NFL MVP quarterback and Super Bowl Champion, he reveals his Game Plan for Success by drawing parallels between winning in football and in business. Joe focuses on how to succeed under pressure – when it is ”4th and 1,” and how to adapt quickly to unexpected situations when you are faced with a “blitz” instead of a zone. He urges individuals and organizations to set goals and correct errors each step of the way—an approach that builds unstoppable momentum, making even the strongest opposition struggle to keep up.
Awards Presented:
- General Manager of the Year
- Board Member of the Year
- Staff Member of the Year
- SDLF Certificate in Special District Governance
- SDLF Certified Special District Manager
- SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate
11:00 AM—12:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
How to Navigate the Planning & Building Permitting Processes of Cities and Counties
Gary Bell and Aleks Giragosian, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley, PC
Many special districts play a role in reviewing, conditioning, and approving land use decisions made by cities and counties. This session reviews that process and shares case studies
Power in Community-Based Social Marketing: Organics Recycling in Multi-Family Communities
Rob Hilton and Sara Parral, West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority
Learn how our District used Community-Based Social Marketing to increase participation and engagement in a challenging program. If we can make multi-family composting work, you can make any program work!
Innovating Wildfire Prevention: Strategies, Funding, and Tools for Special Districts
Dan Turner, San Luis Obispo Fire Safe Council
Hannah Newby, Andy Johnson, and Lexi Journey, Rincon Consultants, Inc
As wildfire threats continue to escalate across California, special districts play a critical role in driving effective wildfire prevention projects. This session will explore cutting-edge innovations in wildfire planning, from developing firesheds and leveraging data-driven dashboards to streamlining CEQA compliance for fuel mitigation efforts. Attendees will also gain insights into the latest funding opportunities designed to support proactive wildfire resilience. Join industry experts and district leaders as they share real-world applications, success stories, and practical tools to accelerate prevention efforts.
Unlocking the Magic: HR Best Practices for Special Districts
Melissa Asher and Tiffany Bose, CPS HR Consulting
Discover HR insights by delving into impactful practices across administration, training, and policies. Learn how to leverage essential information to increase effectiveness and empower your district to lead with confidence.
Bridging the Governance Gap: Addressing Turnover and Board Team
Karin Freese, PHD, MBA, Del Puerto Health Care District
Discover how to transform high-turnover chaos into resilient leadership. Learn the power of communication, structured onboarding, and role clarity to revolutionize governance and inspire thriving districts.
The Most Common Legal Questions Special Districts Ask: A General Counsel’s Perspective
Derek Cole, Cole Huber, LLP
What are the most common questions special districts ask their general counsels? Municipal attorneys handle a wide range of legal practice areas, but there are certain questions that commonly come up more than others. This presentation will identify and provide general answers to these questions. Topics include closed sessions, conflicts of interest, public records requests, and others.
My District Needs to Borrow Money… Now What?
Andrea Salazar, South Tahoe Public Utility District
Rick Brandis, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Dmitry Semenov, Ridgeline Municipal Strategies
This session discusses key considerations for obtaining financing (bonds, private placements, financing leases, and government loans - USDA, SRF, WIFIA, etc.) and how market changes are impacting your agency's ability to borrow money.
12:15 PM—1:30 PM
Lunch with the Exhibitors
Lunch is included in the conference registration.
All conference attendees are welcome to attend lunch in the exhibit hall. Enjoy your lunch while taking time to learn more about our exhibitors and the valuable services they provide. From risk management to accounting, HR, legal, banking services, and more – our exhibitors have some of the best of what you’re looking for!
1:30 PM—3:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Demystifying Public Service: What Being an Effective Special District Board Member Means to You, Your Organization, and Your Community
Tom Scaglione, Grossmont Healthcare District
You have been elected or appointed to a special district board by your community. This is a tremendous honor that comes with much responsibility. As a board member for a special district, you have committed to represent the best interests of your community, ensure the delivery of essential local services and infrastructure, and faithfully serve the public good while upholding the law. This is a high calling that depends upon mutual trust, support, and collaboration with your fellow board members, your district’s professional staff, and the network of special district leaders you will develop in your community. Attendees at this program will learn how to be an effective board member and serve constituents in their best interests.
Finance Policies Power Play: Navigating the Rules of the Game
Josh Byerrum and Samantha Prall, Platinum Strategies Inc
Join us for an in-depth review of financial policies and best practices that will shape your organization's fiscal health. This session will explore key policies and their practical applications, focusing on how these guidelines trickle down to impact your budget and financial statements. We'll uncover the strategies behind successful financial management, ensuring you're equipped to tackle challenges and seize opportunities with confidence. Whether you're fine-tuning your current approach or implementing new policies, this session provides the insights you need to stay ahead of the game.
With Arms Wide Open - Managing Conflict and Public Protest When Increasing Rates
Dean Atyia, Best Best & Krieger LLP
Jessica Self, Union Public Utility District
Both an attorney and special district representative will present strategies and share stories for managing public perception during the Proposition 218 rate setting process. There will be particular emphasis on reducing litigation risk and facilitating public acceptance of increased rates.
Evolution of LAFCO and Why it Matters to You
Jason Fried, Marin LAFCO
Joe Serrano - LAFCO of Santa Cruz County
Cynthia Allen, CSDM, Vandenberg Village Community Services District
This session focuses on two primary areas: the more relevant one is to talk about how special district can work with their LAFCO effectively, not to look at us (LAFCO) as the bogeyman but as an ally there to help. The other is to encourage those special district in counties that are not seated on LAFCO to seriously look at joining (learn the benefits on being on the commission).
Huddle Up! New and Future GM Meet Up
Scott Carroll, CSDM, Costa Mesa Sanitary District
Justin Scott-Coe, CSDM, Monte Vista Water District
Join us for an engaging and interactive breakout session designed exclusively for new and aspiring General Managers. "Huddle Up!" is your opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and gain valuable insights into the dynamic role of a GM. Whether you're new to the position or preparing for the next step in your career, this session will provide you with practical strategies, leadership tips, and industry best practices to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead. Don’t miss this chance to build your professional network and walk away with actionable ideas to excel in your role.
Navigating the AI Tide: Legal and Ethical Implications for Special Districts
Nick Clair, Lozano Smith, Attorneys at Law
Explore AI's transformative role in special districts, focusing on legal risks, ethical considerations, and strategies for navigating the AI tide in public agency law and operations.
Playing by the Rules: The Brown Act
Jeff Hoskinson and Nicolle Falcis, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Join us for this breakdown of the Brown Act—California’s open meeting law for local government bodies. This action-packed session will provide the playbook for transparency, tackle key rules for meetings, and strategies to avoid penalties like serial meetings and closed session fouls. Whether you are a rookie board member or a seasoned MVP, you'll leave this session ready to keep your team compliant with the rules and your meetings open to the public.
3:30 PM—4:45 PM
Breakout Sessions
Impact Fee Playbook: Best Practices and Local Challenges
Willie Sapeta and Miasha Rivas, Lake County Fire Protection District
Dmitry Semenov, Ridgeline Municipal Strategies
Impact fees fund essential facilities, but implementing them is anything but straightforward. Here is a practical guide to designing effective fee programs, navigating local approval process, and managing regulatory challenges.
Cash Flow Analysis and Forecasting: Implementing the Right Approach for Your Entity
Tom Tight, California CLASS
A comprehensive cash flow analysis and forecast is key to implementing a sound and successful investment program focused on the objectives of safety, liquidity and income. A cashflow analysis will allow you to properly size your liquidity portfolio for short-term expenses and determine how much of your portfolio can be invested further out the yield curve to strive for additional income.
This session will provide an overview of cash flow forecasting activities, discuss details of what is included in a cash flow analysis (including how to conduct one), and outline the type of information governments should be tracking for accurate analysis. Finally, we will perform a live case study on a government using our new, proprietary cash flow modeling tool, CFMAX.
Game Plan for Hosting More Positive, Productive, and Fun Public Workshops
Institute for Local Government
Public workshops are vital tools for engaging communities, gathering input, and facilitating collaboration between special districts and their residents. However, hosting a successful workshop requires more than just scheduling a meeting and presenting information. It requires an understanding of how to create an environment that fosters positivity, encourages productive dialogue, and even makes the experience enjoyable for participants.
Based on ILG’s popular Meeting Mastery training, this session will provide California’s special district leaders with practical, actionable tips for transforming their public workshops into dynamic, inclusive, and engaging experiences. From preparing for the workshop to managing diverse opinions and creating an atmosphere of fun and openness, this session will equip leaders with the tools to not only host more effective workshops but also create lasting relationships with the communities they serve.
Got Surplus Land? New Changes in the Surplus Land Act
Laura Ratcliffe, Hanson Bridgett, LLP
Christine Compton, Irvine Ranch Water District
Regulations regarding the disposal of "Surplus Land" (which may include both selling and leasing agency property) have changed in recent years. We will cover the key aspects of the Surplus Land Act (SLA), practical implementation advice, and pitfalls to avoid. We will also provide updates on recent developments in interpretation of and amendment to the SLA.
Culturally Relevant Community Engagement: Waterwise Loteria
Monica Curiel and Elizabeth Willis, Chino Basin Water Conservation District
How to empower your team to create culturally appropriate, place-based programming to engage your constituents and become a valued part of the community you serve.
Lessons Learned after the 2018 Camp Fire - And How Your District Can Prepare for Natural Disasters (new title)
Kevin Phillips and Mickey Rich, Paradise Irrigation District
The session will cover wildfires' impacts on municipal water systems, including contamination risks and restoration challenges. It will also highlight innovative recovery strategies, mitigation, and community engagement.
General Manager Performance Evaluations: A Strategic Approach that Works
Martin Rauch, Rauch Communication Consultants, Inc
A well-executed General Manager Performance Evaluation is vital for both the manager's success and the Board's effectiveness. But many Boards struggle with this critical task. Learn a proven process that enhances communication and understanding between the manager and board; incorporates both subjective and objective criteria for a comprehensive assessment; aligns the evaluation with clear policy directions and connects it to the broader strategic plan and the manager's annual goals. There will be time for questions and answers. Join us to learn how a robust performance evaluation can drive excellence and mutual understanding among your board and staff leadership team.
5:00 PM—6:30 PM
Mix and Mingle in the Exhibit Hall
Stop by the exhibit hall for one final chance to chat with the exhibitors, enjoy a drink and hors d’oeuvres, and enter for one more chance to win one of our fabulous prizes!
The exhibit hall closes on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m.