"Understanding Special Districts and Public Debt".

• Author: DOUGLAS, JENNIFER RITTER
• Position: In California - Brief Article

Debt Line, August 2000, PP. 1-10.

Like many other states, California allows for the creation of special districts. Special districts are intended to provide local services that other municipal entities could or would not provide. Like city and county governments, they are autonomous governmental units, possessing the authority to enter into contracts, acquire real property, and issue debt. This article highlights the nature of special districts in California, and assists the reader in understanding the debt that they issue. Although laws on special districts vary from state to state, this article is useful for readers all across the country. In California, special districts may provide one specialized service or multiple services. Water districts are most numerous, followed by...