April 2023 MBR The California Shelf

The California Shelf

Guide to Local Government Finance in California
Michael Multari, et al.
Solano Press Books
PO Box 773, Point Arena, CA 95468
www.solano.com
9781938166174, $90.00, PB, 332pp

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Local-Government-Finance-California/dp/1938166175

Synopsis: Now in a newly updated and revised second edition, "Guide to Local Government Finance in California" by the team of Michael Multari; Michael Coleman; Kenneth Hampian; and Bill Statler brings the financial picture for California governments up to date, while making this comprehensive reference resource even easier to use.

This new edition of "Guide to Local Government Finance in California" provides a solid foundation for those who are interested in better understanding and navigating the complexity of California local public finance. The first edition, published in 2012, introduced a unique look at local government finance covering not only the vital fundamentals - like budgeting, accounting, and investing - but also lesser known yet equally powerful forces that affect the ability of cities, counties and special districts to deliver essential services. In a constantly changing environment, economic conditions evolve, new laws are enacted, different issues become especially topical to the public and the academy.

This new second edition of Guide to Local Government in California addresses those changes with discussions of: Court decisions related to rate structures and pensions; Fiscal reforms that were emerging in 2012 that have been advanced (or dropped); Increased interest in the early diagnosis of possible fiscal difficulties; How some of the benefits of redevelopment that were lost might be recaptured, including Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts; Other incremental changes to the system.

In addition, much of the statistical information contained in the numerous charts and graphs has been updated with more current data, and the graphics have been improved. The glossary has been significantly expanded to help clarify some of the technical terms used in the book. The primary purpose of this book is to provide a solid foundation for those who are interested in better understanding and navigating the complexity of California local public finance.

Critique: An essential resource for public agency managers and other staff, including planners and policy analysts, as well as appointed and elected public officials, teachers, students, and citizens at large who want to understand and improve California's complex system of local government finance, "Guide to Local Government Finance in California" is impressively comprehensive, and throughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Featuring four Appendices (An Overview of Public Finance Theory; Detailed City Budget Process; Presenting Financial Information; Useful Information Sources), a two page Bibliography, a sixteen page Glossary, and a seven page Index, "Guide to Local Government Finance in California" will prove an invaluable addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library California Governmental Policy & Finance collections. It should be noted that "Guide to Local Government Finance in California" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $45.00).

Editorial Note #1: Government Finance Almanac, an online resource of data, analyses and articles on California municipal finance and budgeting. He is the principal fiscal policy advisor both to the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers and, for over twenty years, to the League of California Cities. Coleman is a popular presenter at graduate schools and conferences, and is the author of numerous articles and references on the topic. Coleman received an MPA from the University of Southern California.

Editorial Note #2: During Ken Hampian's thirty-five year public sector career he served at the county, federal and city levels of government, including twenty years in San Luis Obispo where he retired as city manager in 2010. Honors have included the League of California Cities John S. Nail Award and selection to the prestigious Presidential Management Internship Program. In the summer of 2011, Hampian served without compensation as the interim city manager of beleaguered Bell, California, during a time of dire need. His service there has been recognized by a variety of professional associations. Today Hampian teaches, trains, writes, and consults.

Editorial Note #3: Michael Multari was the community development director in Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo before co-founding Crawford, Multari & Clark, Associates, a consulting practice that provided planning and fiscal assistance to public agencies throughout California. Since leaving CMCA in 2000, he has served as the executive director of the non-profit Morro Bay National Estuary Program and has worked on various campus planning projects at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He received an MPA from Princeton University and has been a member of the adjunct faculty in the City and Regional Planning Department at Cal Poly for over twenty years.

Editorial Note #4: Bill Statler served as the director of Finance & Information Technology for the City of San Luis Obispo for twenty-two years and for ten years as finance officer for the City of Simi Valley before that. Under his guidance, San Luis Obispo received national recognition for excellence in its financial planning, budgeting, reporting and management systems. He has played a large leadership role in the municipal finance profession, including serving on the Board of Directors of the League of California Cities as well as president of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) and the League's Fiscal Officers Department, In 2011, Statler was awarded the CSMFO's Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions to the municipal finance profession; and in 2012, he received the Cal-ICMA's Ethical Hero Award for his services to the City of Bell in the aftermath of well-publicized scandals. Statler continues to be deeply involved in the field as a consultant, trainer and author.

Navagating The California Coastal Act
Jana Zimmer
Solano Press Books
PO Box 773, Point Arena, CA 95468
www.solano.com
9781938166211, $80.00, PB, 255pp

https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-California-Coastal-Jana-Zimmer/dp/1938166213

Synopsis: With the publication of "Navigating The California Coastal Act", Jana Zimmer presents the only book that provides a comprehensive but concise overview and guide to practice under the California Coastal Act.

Offering a clear understanding of current substantive standards and procedures including how development along the coast is defined, where it may be permitted and under what substantive and procedural standards, and how jurisdiction over planning for development and conservation in coastal areas is determined, "Navigating The California Coastal Act" features practice tips throughout the book suggest ways to work effectively with Coastal Commission staff and present cases to the Commission. Navigating the California Coastal Act is intended for planners and officials at local, state, and federal agencies, as well as property owners, real estate developers, attorneys and judges, interested citizen activists, and students.

The topics covered in "Navigating The California Coastal Act" include: The Coastal Commission its qualifications, organization, and role in implementation of the Coastal Act; The Local Coastal Program its purposes, processes, and common issues; Coastal development permit requirements types of permits, and emerging or recurring issues; The Coastal Commission hearing and appeal process; Interpreting and applying Coastal Act standards; Other relevant agencies and laws; Enforcement of the Coastal Act; Judicial review.

Appendices contain a glossary of terms and summaries of key legal cases. "Navigating The California Coastal Act" reflects both a love of the coast, and a love of the law, and is enhanced by extraordinary photography, courtesy of Reeve Woolpert, and the artwork of the author.

Critique: "Navigating The California Coastal Act" is enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of illustrations, a two page listing of Acknowledgments, two Appendices (Glossary of Terms & Table of Authorities), and a three page Index. Comprehensive and exceptionally well organized and presented, "Navigating The California Coastal Act" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Navigating The California Coastal Act" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $40.00).

Editorial Note: Jana Zimmer is a Santa Barbara-based attorney, arbitrator, and former Coastal Commissioner with over 35 years of experience in work under the California Coastal Act. During her legal career, she represented public agencies, environmental organizations, and private parties with issues before local government and the Coastal Commission. From 2011 to 2015, she served as an at large appointee of the Speaker of the Assembly, John Perez. She served as Vice-Chair of the Coastal Commission from December 2013 to July 2015. Ms. Zimmer currently works as an expert witness, facilitator, and governmental relations consultant specializing in Coastal Act matters. She remains licensed to practice in California, the 9th Circuit, and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

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