Title
Consider appointments of the County’s delegates and alternates to the Board of Directors for Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), and Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Appoint one member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as delegate and one member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as alternate on the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) Board of Directors;
b. Appoint one member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as delegate and one member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as alternate on the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Board of Directors;
c. Appoint one member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as delegate and one member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as alternate on the Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) Board of Directors; and,
d. Direct staff to update the Boards, Committees, and Commissions appointments list accordingly.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey is an active member of RCRC, GSFA, and GSCA. Each organization requires that member counties confirm their appointed delegate and alternate to serve on their respective Board of Directors. The Board of Supervisors must appoint supervisors to serve as delegates and alternates to the RCRC, GSFA, and GSCA Boards before their first scheduled meeting on January 21, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
RCRC is composed of 40 members service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. To be considered for membership, counties must meet a population threshold of under 600,000 along with several qualitative considerations. Membership in RCRC strengthens the County of Monterey’s ability to advocate on rural area issues that are aligned with the County’s Legislative Program.
Founded in 1972, RCRC works with its membership to advocate on behalf of rural issues at the state and federal levels. RCRC provides the rural county perspective on a myriad of issues during the legislative and regulatory process, including land use, water and natural resources, housing, transportation, wildfire protection policies, and health and human services. The core of RCRC’s mission is to improve the ability of small, rural California county governments to provide services by reducing the burden of state and federal mandates and promoting a greater understanding among policymakers regarding the unique challenges that face California's small population counties.
The GSFA develops and administers programs that provide a source of financing for residential home purchases or refinances, commercial and residential energy efficiency improvement projects, multi‐family housing construction and rehabilitation projects, and city and/or county infrastructure improvements. The GFSA is a California Joint Powers Authority and a duly constituted public entity and agency, the mission of which is to provide affordable housing and contribute to the social and economic well-being of California residents. The Authority was established in 1993 and exists under and by virtue of Articles 1-4 of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code of the State of California.
The GSCA, also a Joint Powers Authority, was formed in August 2021 following a unanimous vote by the RCRC Board of Directors. GSCA is designed to leverage collective efforts on behalf of rural counties in the provision of technical assistance and the establishment of broadband infrastructure in under-connected areas. It is envisioned that the GSCA will assist rural counties in identifying pathways for the development of broadband infrastructure within their communities, including the construction of municipally owned and/or operated broadband systems, among other options.
Each of these entities requires that each member county designate a delegate and alternate to serve on its respective Board of Directors. Supervisors Chris Lopez and Glenn Church currently serve on the RCRC, GSFA and GSCA Board of Directors (Lopez as delegate and Church as alternate). Supervisor Lopez also serves as the Immediate Past Chair of RCRC. This report requests that the Board appoint a delegate and alternate to the RCRC, GSFA, and GSCA Board of Directors for the calendar year of 2026. Typically, the same member serves as delegate for all three bodies, and the same for alternate.
The County Administrative Office will submit the Board’s 2026 appointments to RCRC, GSFA, GSCA, and update the Boards, Committees, and Commissions list accordingly.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
To ensure Brown Act compliance, County Counsel recommends that neither the RCRC delegate or alternate serve on the Board’s Legislative Committee-unless both appointees serve on the Legislative Committee. Counsel also recommends caution in communications between the Legislative Committee members and the RCRC representatives regarding matters that may come before the Legislative Committee.
FINANCING:
The appointment of delegates and alternates to the RCRC, GSFA, and GSCA Board of Directors does not require additional General Fund contributions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
County membership in RCRC, GSFA, and GSCA supports the implementation of the County’s Legislative Program, which advances priorities across the Board’s Strategic Plan Goals.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
_X___ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_X___ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
_X___ Safe and Resilient Communities
_X___ Diverse and Thriving Economy
If it does not fall under any of the above Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals (Other):
__X__ Administrative
Prepared by: Claudia Escalante, Executive Assistant to CAO
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant County Administrative Officer
Attachments:
Board Report
RCRC Memo and Form
GSFA Memo and Form
GSCA Memo and Form