(a) The Desert Healthcare District may be expanded in accordance with this chapter. All other provisions of this division shall apply to the Desert Healthcare District following its reorganization, except as provided in this chapter.

(b) (1) On or before January 5, 2017, the Desert Healthcare District shall file a resolution of application with the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission, pursuant to subdivision (a) of § 56654 of the Government Code, to initiate proceedings by the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission for the purpose of expanding the Desert Healthcare District to include the East Coachella Valley region. The expanded district shall include all communities served by the Desert Healthcare District as of the date of the filing of the resolution of application, and shall also include, but not be limited to, the communities of Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella, and the unincorporated areas of Bermuda Dunes, Mecca, Thermal, Oasis, North Shore, and Vista Santa Rosa. The resolution of application shall comply with § 56652 of the Government Code and shall specify the source of funding for the expanded district. The Desert Healthcare District shall pay any fees associated with the resolution of application.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(2) The Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission proceeding shall be deemed initiated on the date the resolution of application is accepted for filing. Subsequent to initiation of the proceeding, the commission shall hold a hearing pursuant to § 56666 of the Government Code. The commission shall comply with the notice requirements of Sections 56660 and 56661 of the Government Code in connection with the hearing.

(3) The Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission shall complete its proceedings and direct the election required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) no later than 150 days following receipt of the completed resolution of application. Notwithstanding any other law, the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission shall not have the power to disapprove the resolution of application.

(4) Notwithstanding any other law, the resolution of application filed by the Desert Healthcare District pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to any protest proceedings.

(c) (1) The Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission shall order the expansion of the district subject to a vote of the registered voters residing within the territory to be annexed at an election following the completion of proceedings pursuant to subdivision (b). The commission may condition the annexation on the district’s imposition of sufficient revenues to provide services within the territory to be annexed, including, but not limited to, the concurrent approval of special taxes or benefit assessments that will generate those sufficient revenues.

(2) The Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission shall direct the Board of Supervisors of the County of Riverside to direct county officials to conduct the necessary election for approval of district expansion by placing approval of district expansion, pursuant to subdivision (d) of § 57118 of the Government Code, and approval of any necessary funding source for the expanded district that requires voter approval on the ballot at the next countywide election.

(3) If a majority of the voters within the territory ordered to be annexed vote in favor of the expanded district and if a number of voters required under applicable law to approve any necessary funding source that requires voter approval vote in favor of that funding source, the district shall be expanded in accordance with this chapter.

(4) The district shall pay to the county the actual cost of the services rendered in conducting the election.

(d) The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Division 3 (commencing with Section 56000) of Title 5 of the Government Code) shall not apply to the expansion of the district pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c), except as specified in this part. The act shall apply to any other change of organization or reorganization as defined in that act, following the reorganization of the district pursuant to this section.

(e) As used in this chapter, “district” means the Desert Healthcare District.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 416, Sec. 1. (AB 2414) Effective January 1, 2017.)