Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD) and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) are participating in a voluntary study to investigate the feasibility of a potential consolidation. Central San representatives attended a public MVSD Board meeting  expressing their interest in conducting the study and offering to pay it and, the study is funded entirely by Central San.  To define and guide the study effort, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed between MVSD and Central San and a Project Charter was developed and Raftelis was retained to conduct the study.  The Study Documents serve to formally define roles and responsibilities in the study and outline key issues to be addressed. 

Some of these key issues of particular interest to MVSD include:

1.  conducting a financial analysis that outlines specific quantified benefits to each agency’s rate payers,
2. identifying potential rate structures that account for consolidation expenses, and
3. identifying issues of concern to employees and addressing staffing and integration plans that ensure compensation and benefits for all employees are maintained.

According to the original study timeline, the study was to conclude in June 2026. While significant progress has been made in conducting a financial analysis and the study is currently expected to be concluded by the end of September 2026.  Less progress has been made in identifying rate structures that account for consolidation expenses and addressing staffing and integration plans, and these two key issues may not be resolved by the end of September 2026.  MVSD continues to communicate the necessity to have all information before determining the feasibility of consolidation.  For example, if all expenses related to consolidation are charged only to MVSD rate payers, what happens to their rates?  This is a key question still requiring more study so that the MVSD Board of Directors has all the information necessary to make an informed decision and quantify the impact to our rate  payers.

It is also important to note that MVSD’s five-year Strategic Plan was developed in 2025 with the consolidation study in mind.  MVSD has been operating in good faith and only investing rate payer money in infrastructure that would remain in place regardless of the outcome of the study, like the sewer collection system.  However, MVSD can only reasonably and responsibly defer investment in the treatment facility for so long.  Another key issue to be addressed in this study is to develop a timeline with milestones for any potential consolidation.  MVSD must soon understand these potential milestones so important repairs and/or replacements can move forward as appropriate.

Brief overview of Consolidation Feasibility Study efforts:

October 2023

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed between MVSD and Central San. The MOU defines roles and responsibilities and key issues to address in the Study. 

December 2023 – September 2024

MVSD and Central San meet several times to discuss the Request for Proposal (RFP) that was sent out to secure a consultant for the study. MVSD established an Ad Hoc Committee dedicated to the study that met several times during this period.  A first amendment was made to the MOU that establishing that Central San will not amend any contract with the consultant without MVSD’s consent. One proposal was received, and the consultant (Raflelis) underwent a vetting process that included responses to questions submitted. MVSD’s Board accepted the proposal in August 2024, and Central San’s Board accepted the proposal in September 2024.

November 2024 – March 2025

The consultant held the kickoff meeting with MVSD and Central San to identify the teams and roles for each agency and the consultant, the project scope, timeline, Project Charter, Communication Plan, and next steps. The consultant submitted a Request for Information (RFI), which MVSD completed in December 2024. MVSD also responded to all requests for clarification. Meetings were held with MVSD’s Ad Hoc Committee and members of the MVSD staff met with the consultant’s sub-contractors to provide additional information about MVSD’s treatment facility and marshes.

The Project Charter was completed defining the guiding principles of the study and confirms the understanding of the study’s goals for all parties.   

The Strategic Communications Plan was also completed, reviewed, and accepted by both Districts in March 2025. This plan outlined how information about the study will be shared throughout the study process.

June 2025

The consultant presented the Boards of MVSD and Central San with a progress update in June 2025 at their respective Regular Public Board Meetings. The presentation reviewed goals, guiding principles, scope, timeline, project status, and next steps. 

October – November 2025

The consultant met with staff from both agencies in October and November 2025 to collect data on organizational structures, policies, and procedures. 

February - May 2026

The consultant presented its findings to the executive teams of both agencies in March 2026, during which clarification and feedback were provided.  The executive teams included management team members assigned to the Study effort.  The Ad Hoc Committees and executive teams from both agencies then met to discuss the presentation. The Ad Hoc Committees include two Board members of each District.  During these discussions, MVSD noted that projected rate impacts—identified in the MOU as a critical component for informed decision-making—were not included. MVSD also requested that the consultant provide the assumptions and supporting data used to develop the total cost analysis associated with the different options for consolidation. In addition, concerns were raised regarding the lack of involvement of union representatives regarding the integration of employees.

Central San invited MVSD employees to a "Lunch and Learn" session to discuss how a potential consolidation would affect them. Prior to the session, MVSD employees collaborated to develop a list of questions for the sessions. While the presentation included an overview of benefits for new employees, Central San conveyed that they would not address any of the questions submitted by MVSD employees that were specific to how consolidation impacts their employment.

June 2026

Executive teams from both agencies met with the consultant to receive a Study status update and receive any remaining questions.  It was expressed by Central San that this study is a preliminary effort not intended to answer all questions and some key issues may need to be moved to a later intermediate effort.

Memorandum of UnderstandingFeasibility Project CharterCommunication PlanBoard Update June 2025