California State Association of Counties

California State Association of Counties
Name	California State Association of Counties
Abbreviation	CSAC
Formation	1895
Type	Nonprofit association
Headquarters	Sacramento, California
Region served	California
Membership	58 counties
Leader title	Chief Executive Officer
Leader name	Raymond T. Sims

California State Association of Counties. The California State Association of Counties is a statewide membership association representing the 58 counties of California, serving as a collective voice for county elected officials and county administrative staff in interactions with the California State Legislature, Governor's office, and federal agencies such as the United States Congress, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of Justice. Founded in the late 19th century during a period of rapid institutional development following the California Gold Rush and the adoption of the 1879 California Constitution, the association has evolved alongside landmark state developments such as the Progressive Era, the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, and the expansion of federally funded programs like Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

History

CSAC traces roots to county supervisors' organizations that emerged in response to legal and fiscal challenges after the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and during statewide reforms influenced by the National Association of Counties. Early milestones include coordination during the Great Depression, collaboration on wartime civil defense after Attack on Pearl Harbor, and postwar engagements tied to infrastructure initiatives like the Interstate Highway System and water projects associated with the California State Water Project. The association played roles in policy debates over propositions such as Proposition 13 (1978), which reshaped local taxation, and later ballot measures impacting public safety and health like Proposition 47 (2014) and Proposition 63 (1986). Throughout its history CSAC has interfaced with entities such as the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties Insurance Authority, and federal delegations from the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives to navigate shifting fiscal and statutory landscapes.

Organization and Governance

CSAC operates under governance structures common to nonprofit membership associations, with oversight by a board composed of elected county supervisors, county executives, and appointed officers drawn from jurisdictions like Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County. Executive leadership has included chief executives working with policy directors who interface with committees focused on finance, public safety, health, and land-use matters. The association convenes annual meetings and policy conferences in venues like Sacramento Convention Center and has held sessions in regions including Bay Area, Central Valley, Inland Empire, and Desert Region counties to coordinate regional strategy. CSAC coordinates with state-level institutions such as the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Transportation, and the Department of Finance (California).

Membership and Counties

Membership comprises elected boards of supervisors and county administrative officers from all 58 counties, including the most populous jurisdictions like Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and smaller rural counties like Modoc County and Alpine County. County members participate through regional divisions—Northern, Bay Area, Central, Southern, and Sierra—and through subject-matter standing committees that reflect county responsibilities for programs tied to entities such as the California Department of Public Health, California Department of Social Services, California Natural Resources Agency, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Membership engagement includes county delegations attending legislative lobby days in the California State Capitol and participating in collaborative forums with organizations like the Rural County Representatives of California and the California State Association of Counties Education Initiative.

Policy Advocacy and Programs

CSAC advocates on fiscal, legal, and programmatic issues affecting counties, engaging with legislative measures, budget negotiations, and regulatory processes tied to statewide initiatives like Medi-Cal expansion, Affordable Care Act implementation at the state level, wildfire mitigation programs linked to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and homelessness strategies coordinated with the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council. The association drafts position papers, testifies before legislative committees such as the Assembly Budget Committee (California), and partners on pilot programs with agencies including the California Conservation Corps and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Policy priorities historically encompass public safety, behavioral health services connected to Proposition 47 (2014), transportation funding involving the California Transportation Commission, and water stability tied to litigation and planning under cases like California State Water Resources Control Board proceedings.

Services and Partnerships

CSAC provides services including insurance pooling, technical assistance, training for county officials, and program administration in partnership with entities such as the California State Association of Counties Excess Insurance Authority and the California County Government Finance Officers Association. The association manages grant navigation and procurement assistance interfacing with federal programs administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and state grant programs run by the California Grants Portal. Training and professional development occur in collaboration with academic institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, California State University, Sacramento, and professional associations such as the National Association of Counties.

Funding and Finances

CSAC’s budget is supported by county dues, program fees, insurance authority premiums, and revenue from conferences and trainings; these resources are allocated for lobbying activities at the California State Legislature, legal support often coordinated through counsel experienced with cases at the California Supreme Court, and member services. Financial oversight involves audits by external firms that operate under standards from bodies like the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and fiscal planning responds to statewide fiscal events such as State of California budget crisis of 2009 and subsequent budget negotiations. The association maintains reserve policies to address contingencies arising from natural disaster responses tied to events like Camp Fire (2018) and statewide emergencies declared by the Governor of California.

Category:Organizations based in Sacramento, California