Schedule

Monday, August 25, 2025

Pre-Conference 

8:00 AM–7:00 PM

Conference Registration Hours


8:30 AM–9:00 AM

Pre-Conference Workshop Continental Breakfast


9:00 AM—3:30 PM

Pre-Conference Workshop #1:  SDLA Governance Foundations*
Hilary Straus, Citrus Heights Water District

As the core curriculum of CSDA’s Special District Leadership Academy, this workshop serves as the “foundation” for the series on effective governance of special districts. It is specifically designed for special district board members and meets the requirement for six hours of governance training for Special District Leadership Foundation programs.

*Registration Fee includes continental breakfast and lunch  


9:00 AM—3:30 PM

Pre-Conference Workshop #2:  So, You Want to Be a General Manager?*
Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate.
Scott Carroll, CSDM, Costa Mesa Sanitary District

This is a practical career development workshop for senior executives and emerging leaders in special districts. This action-oriented workshop includes group and panel discussions on the journey, roles, and skill sets of a general manager; identifying general manager opportunities; developing positive relations with the board, staff, and peer agency executives; and leadership best practices.

*Registration Fee includes continental breakfast and lunch  


9:00 AM—2:00 PM

SDLF Scramble for Scholarships Golf Tournament*
Del Monte Golf Course

Join special district elected officials, staff, and business affiliates at this optional fun event. Great golf skills are not necessary! Proceeds benefit the Special District Leadership Foundation scholarship fund.

*Additional Registration Fee  


10:15 AM—2:00 PM

Pre-Conference Tour: Moss Landing Harbor District Tour, Lunch & Elkhorn Slough Boat Tour*

Playful sea otters, curious harbor seals, boisterous sea lions, and hundreds of bird species abound as you explore one of California's most spectacular wetlands aboard a stable, 27-foot, U.S. Coast Guard inspected pontoon boat in a tour of Elkhorn Slough. Enjoy a tour of the district, eat lunch, and then board the boat for a view of the slough.

*Additional Registration Fee  


10:30 AM—3:00 PM

Young Professionals Pre-Conference Activity: Monterey Bay Kayak Tour*

Join your fellow YPs (Young Professional district staff under the age of 40) for the best way to experience the wildlife and nature of Monterey Bay, via kayak. The 1.5-hour kayaking tour will take you to visit sea otters, harbor seals and birds up close. End your pre-conference day networking with your fellow YPs over drinks.

*Additional Registration Fee  


1:00 PM—3:00 PM

SDLF: Certified Special District Manager (CSDM) Exam

*Optional - must be scheduled prior to conference  


1:00 PM—3:00 PM

Pre-Conference Breakout #1 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors
Jennifer Martinez, Hanson Bridgett LLP

State law requires most local officials and employees to receive sexual harassment prevention training and education for at least two hours within six months of taking office or commencing employment and every two years thereafter. Presented by an attorney with deep experience in public and employment law, this session provides an interactive presentation meeting the requirements of state law.



3:00 PM—5:00 PM

Pre-Conference Breakout #2: Ethics AB 1234 Compliance Training
Richard Pio Roda, Redwood Public Law, LLP

California Government Code Section 53235(a) provides that if a local agency provides any type of compensation, salary, or stipend to a member of a legislative body, or provides reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred by a member of a legislative body in the performance of official duties, then all local agency officials shall receive training in ethics. Subdivision (b) of Section 53235 further provides that each local agency official shall receive at least two hours of training in general ethics principles and ethics laws relevant to his or her public service every two years. This training satisfies these requirements by covering several topics on ethics, including the Political Reform Act and Government Code Section 1090 conflicts of interest, the Levine Act, the Ralph M. Brown Act, and the California Public Records Act. Attendees will receive a certificate that they attended the mandatory training that will satisfy this training requirement for the next two years of their public service.


3:30 PM—5:00 PM

Chapter Leaders Meeting

Join CSDA board members and local chapter leaders from across the state to share best practices and discuss issues and opportunities.

New this year – the meeting will begin with networking and refreshments with CSDA Diamond and Platinum Business Affiliate Members including information on how they can help support your chapter’s efforts!

*Optional - No fee, but must be attending the conference to participate


5:15 PM—7:30 PM

President's Reception with the Exhibitors - Tailgate Party

Throw on your favorite team jersey and join us in the exhibit hall for the ultimate tailgate-style KICKOFF to the 2025 CSDA Annual Conference! Network with fellow attendees and business professionals who provide all types of goods and services to special districts. Appetizers, refreshments, and entertainment will be provided.


7:30 PM—9:00 PM

SDRMA Member Reception – Invitation only

Join us in the SDRMA Dessert Dugout for a sweet treat immediately following the opening reception. Network with your fellow SDRMA members and meet your friendly SDRMA staff.

Electronic invitation to follow in early August.



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 California Class logo

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

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.



Wednesday, August 27, 2025

7:00 AM—6:00 PM

Conference Registration Hours


8:00 AM—8:30 AM

SDRMA Sponsored Full Plated Breakfast


8:30 AM—10:30 AM

SDRMA General Session Keynote and Awards: The Undeniable, Jaw-Dropping Power of Encouragement

Brad Montgomery, Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, Author & Podcaster

The business strategy you cannot afford to ignore. How do we get more out of ourselves and those people around us? The key to investing in your people is to strategically deploy the power of encouragement. It's free, easy, massively underutilized. Encouragement nurtures loyalty, trust, and job satisfaction. With Brad Montgomery's authentic and innate humor, this program brings encouragement to life, illustrating its transformative potential for personal and organizational growth

Awards Presented:
  • SDRMA Safety Awards
  • Transparency Certificate of Excellence
  • District of Distinction


10:45 AM—12:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Hoops They Did It Again: The California Legislature Workers’ Compensation (WC) Law & Court Updates
Danny Peña, Special District Risk Management Authority
Boone White, Esq., MacIntyre & White, LLP

During this session, attendees will learn how recent WC laws affect the current WC system and provide practical ways to not only be compliant with new caselaw,  but also look at various options to improve or reduce WC costs.


Building Big Projects: Slicing Through Community Concerns
Ryder Todd Smith, Tripepi Smith

Big projects are hard to do in California. Community sentiment can derail major infrastructure. Let’s talk about communicating about your capital initiatives before, during and after completion.


Staying in Bounds: A Play-by-Play Update on Labor & Employment Laws
Andrew Aller, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Get ready to hit the field with the latest developments in California and federal labor and employment law impacting special districts. This session will coach you through key plays involving discrimination and harassment policies, leave laws, recent court rulings, wage and hour rules, and more. Learn how to avoid compliance penalties, build an all-star HR strategy, and keep your organization in the legal end zone.


Procurement and Public Contracting: To Bid or Not To Bid
Steven Flower, Richards Watson Gershon

This session will be an introduction to procurement and public contracting. It will cover the fundamentals of district purchasing processes; from purchase orders and consulting contracts to formal bidding for public works projects, and everything in between. We will discuss when to bid and when not to bid to ensure that your district is compliant with the Government Code, Labor Code, and your local district policies.


The Latest CalPERS Developments - What You Need to Know Now
Michael D. Youril, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

CalPERS rules and regulations continue to evolve, creating complex challenges for California’s special districts. With rising employer contribution costs, stricter reporting requirements, and compliance pitfalls, staying ahead of the latest developments is important to avoid costly mistakes. This session will break down key updates impacting special districts, including reporting errors that trigger penalties, new and evolving interpretations, disability retirements and common mistakes.

Whether you work in human resources, finance, or other administrative positions, this session will equip you with the knowledge to avoid costly mistakes and ensure your district remains compliant in an ever-changing legal landscape.


Red Flag! Handling the Rogue Board Member
Brent Ives, BHI Management Consulting

Agencies often face challenging Board members who act out—both in and outside of meetings. While their message may have merit, their behavior often does not. Addressing these situations is not always straightforward. Join this compelling session to hear real cases—some resolved effectively, others not.


Local Elections: Combating Misinformation and Deceptive AI
Mac Clemmens, Streamline

As AI technology evolves, the risk of misinformation and disinformation becomes more pronounced. This presentation will provide insights into the challenges of the political season, offer strategic recommendations for districts, and introduce tools and platforms for maintaining the integrity of information within your community.


11:00 AM—12:00 PM

SDLF Board and Annual Meeting


12:15 PM—2:30 PM

Legislative Update Luncheon
CSDA Advocacy and Legal Affairs Team

Trying to keep up with the relentless action in Sacramento and Washington D.C. and what it means for your special district? CSDA’s advocacy and legal affairs team, in partnership with the National Special Districts Association, will present attendees with the most up-to-date information on the biggest state and federal legislative, budgetary, and legal issues impacting special districts in 2025. This session will cut through the noise and provide a high-level overview of the key public policy matters that truly do matter most to our membership.

Controller Malia M. Cohen Special Address: State Controller Malia M. Cohen shares remarks with gathered special district leaders and will reunite special districts with unclaimed property. As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state's financial resources. In partnership with CSDA and its members, the State Controller's Office strives to strengthen financial stewardship in our communities.

Awards Presented:
  • Innovative Project/Program of the Year Award (large district)
  • Innovative Project/Program of the Year Award (small district)
  • Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award (large district)
  • Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award (small district)
  • Ralph Heim Exceptional Outreach & Advocacy Award


2:45 PM—3:45 PM

Breakout Sessions

Back to Basics – Strengthening Your Game with an Injury & Illness Prevention Playbook
Enriqueta Castro, CSP, Special District Risk Management Authority

While the IIPP seems like one of the most basic Cal/OSHA standards, it is actually the essential foundation of an effective safety program. It is a step-by-step guide on how to protect your employees. When all elements of the IIPP are in sync, the result is a powerful safety program that identifies the hazards and exposures employees face, detects required prevention measures to protect employees, and then systematically realigns when conditions change.

During this session, participants will gain a fresh perspective on how the elements of the IIPP work together. Taking a fresh look at your IIPP is no easy feat, but its value comes from protecting your employees, reducing risks associated with workplace injuries and illnesses, and reducing costs through prevention.

Participants will receive valuable resources, such as:

  • Hazard identification and assessment tools
  • IIPP and other Cal/OSHA written program templates
  • Comprehensive employee safety training matrices
  • New employee safety orientation guides
  • Information on Cal/OSHA updates on new and revised standards


Vacancies in Your Governing Board: When do They Occur and How do You Handle Them?
Derek Cole, Cole Huber, LLP

This presentation will address when and how vacancies occur in the governing board of special districts. It will cover all grounds for vacancies, including resignations, prolonged failure to attend board meetings, and failure to discharge the duties of office. The presentation will cover how to fill vacant offices through appointment or special elections, the timing for responding to vacancies, and what happens if deadlines are not met.


Take Your Audit From a Penalty to a Touchdown
Scott German, CPA,  Fechter & Company, Certified Public Accountants

We will explain what district management's responsibility is for the audit and how to make your financial reporting ready for audit.


Compliance Without the Snooze: Making Your Website Work for You
Mac Clemmens and Maria Lara, Streamline

Website compliance doesn’t have to be a legal labyrinth or a total snoozefest. In this interactive session, we’ll wake you up with 16 key checkpoints to keep your district's website compliant, accessible and up to date + walk away with easy-to-use tools and a simple, stress-free "checklist" to make compliance painless (and maybe even fun!). If “website compliance” makes your eyes glaze over, this session is for you!


Beyond the Legislative Update Lunch: Additional Insights
CSDA Advocacy and Legal Affairs Team

Did you leave the Legislative Update Luncheon still hungry for more? That’s what the Post Script breakout session is for. Here’s your chance to meet with the legislative and legal affairs presenters from CSDA and the National Special Districts Association in a smaller setting designed to address your questions related to the topics presented earlier at the luncheon. Join us for a deeper dive into the biggest bills and hottest legislative and legal topics impacting special districts. So, take notes at the luncheon and bring your questions to the Post Script.


Game Plan for Transparency: Understanding the California Public Records Act
Darren Ziegler, Best Best & Krieger LLP

Are you ready to tackle transparency head-on? In this training session, we'll break down the CPRA like a winning playbook. Just like in sports, understanding the rules of the game is your key to success. This session will examine tools to navigate the CPRA with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to public records, we'll walk you through every step of the CPRA, from identifying the playbook of public records requests to making sure you're following the game rules for disclosure and exemptions. Think of it as your play-by-play guide to transparency, where we will help you avoid penalties, score big on access, and secure your organization's integrity. Get ready to level up your understanding of the CPRA, and be prepared to lead your team to winning seasons from here on out.


Proposition 218 Demystified: Clear and Transparent Processes
Josh Byerrum and Habib Isaac, Platinum Strategies Inc

How we proposed a 13% annual rate increase over five years, anchored in community engagement and transparent communication, with minimal opposition from a 27,000-strong service area.


2:45 PM—3:45 PM

CSDAFC Board and Annual Meeting


4:00 PM—5:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

CEQA for the Brave: Advanced CEQA topics
Rubin Cruse, Ann Danforth, and Andrew Shen, Renne Public Law Group, LLP

Explore advanced CEQA topics, including recent case law, new legislation, policy trends, and strategies to streamline compliance and adapt to evolving requirements. Gain insights to navigate CEQA’s complexities effectively.


Caught in the Feed: Managing Employee Social Media Without Crossing the Line
Phil Bui, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

A single post can ignite public controversy, trigger internal disruption, and place your special district in the media spotlight—whether it’s fair or not. As employee social media use becomes more visible and more volatile, public agencies must strike a delicate balance: protecting their mission and reputation without infringing on First Amendment rights.

In this eye-opening session, we’ll examine how special districts can proactively address social media risks while respecting legal boundaries. Through recent case examples, we’ll unpack where employee speech is protected, when discipline is appropriate, and how to build enforceable, up-to-date policies that won’t land your agency in court. Whether you're revisiting your social media policy or dealing with a current issue, this session offers clear guidance, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tools to protect your agency in a fast-moving digital world.


Better Boards Equals Better Districts: Best Practice for Boards
Martin Rauch, Rauch Communication Consultants, Inc

This session offers practical, proven strategies to help you master good governance, streamline your board and manager roles, and build a cohesive team as the foundation for maintaining an effective special district. Learn how to foster board teamwork; carry out the director’s role with excellence; build a productive relationship with your manager; ensure your Board is focusing on the right information and issues; deal with difficult directors; improve deliberation; provide clear policy direction to the Manager; implement a productive general manager performance evaluation; and more. Join this interactive session filled with real-world examples and actionable ideas to drive change and improvement in your district.


From Chaos to Calm: How to Avoid Disruptive Public Meetings and How to Handle Them if They Occur
Craig Steele, Richards Watson Gershon

Public meetings have an outsized impact on the “brand” of a public agency. Most constituents want calm, well-organized, and respectful interactions with their local government officials. This presentation will be focused on the rules regarding public participation, and techniques that can help minimize the kinds of disruptions that can create negative impressions of your agency. Districts can promote open, courteous discussions of important local issues while still protecting free speech rights. In this session, we’ll provide tips for doing just that.


Unlocking New Funding Sources Through Contamination Cost Recovery
Ken Sansone, SL Environmental Law Group PC

Identify potential legal claims your special district may have against manufacturers over contamination issues and learn how to minimize the financial impact of contamination on utilities and ratepayers.


6:00 PM—9:00 PM

Taste of the City - Sail Away Soirée

Sample the food and beverage flavors of Monterey while enjoying all your Yacht Rock favorites from the Alison Sharino Band and a lively silent auction, benefiting SDLF.




Thursday, August 28, 2025

7:30 AM—10:00 AM

Conference Registration Hours


8:00 AM—10:00 AM

Closing Program: Connect and Collaborate

We are in the final quarter—let’s finish strong! Join your special district teammates for an energizing session where we tackle challenges unique to each district type, strategize winning plays with best practices, and share inspiring stories from the field. This is your chance to huddle up, trade ideas, and build connections that will help you score big in the future. Fuel up with a continental breakfast, and let’s bring this Annual Conference to a close together!

Awards Presented:
  • Excellence in Technology
  • Chapter of the Year
  • Beacon Awards
  • Recognition of Previous and Outgoing Board Members