Key Players
Successor Agencies
Successor Agencies came into effect on February 1, 2012, the day that all redevelopment agencies in the State of California were dissolved.
Generally, unless it voted not to each city or county that created an RDA became its Successor Agency on February 1, 2012. On January 12, 2012, at its regularly scheduled meeting, the City Council of the City of Coalinga, by Resolution Number 3489, elected to serve as the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Coalinga.
The Successor Agency is overseen by an Oversight Board that reviews and approves the ROPS and other actions of the Successor Agency.
There are 16 Successor Agencies in the County of Fresno, all of which must have an Oversight Board.
The Successor Agency manages redevelopment projects currently underway, makes payments identified on the EOPS (and later, the ROPS), and disposes of redevelopment assets and properties as directed by the Oversight Board. A separate agency manages the former RDA’s housing assets. The Successor Agency’s liability for nay legal claims is limited to the funds and assets it receives to perform its functions.
The Successor Agency is responsible for drafting a ROPS no later than March 1, 2012. The ROPS must be transmitted to the County Auditor-Controller’s Office and the California Department of Finance by April 15, 2012. The ROPS will delineate the enforceable obligations payable through June 30, 2012 and their source of payments, and then will be updated and submitted for approval every six months thereafter.
Chapter 3 of ABx126, entitled “Successor Agencies,” contains two sections, Sections 34177 and 34178, which provide details about the duties and deadlines of successor agencies. The Chapter provides clarifications on the validity and invalidity of certain types of agreements, contracts and arrangements between the former RDA and the city or county that created it.
The Auditor-Controller administers the RDA’s tax trust fund and distributes funds to local governments. This office also certifies the draft ROPS and establishes the Agreed Upon Audit Procedures (AUP) for the former RDA.
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the State Controller’s Office (SCO) have overlapping responsibilities. The DOF has the authority to review the EOPS and the ROPS. The DOF plays an oversight role regarding the actions of the Oversight Board. The DOF may request a review of any Oversight Board’s action within 3 days. It then has 10 days to approve the action or return it for reconsideration.
The actions of the Oversight Board are overseen by the Department of Finance (DOF). Any actions taken by an oversight board will not go into effect for 3 business days. During this time, the DOF may request a review of any of the Oversight Board’s actions. The DOF, in turn, has 10 days to approve the Oversight Board’s action(s) or return it to the Oversight Board for reconsideration.
The State Controller’s Office (SCO) is responsible for recouping redevelopment assets that may have been improperly transferred in the first half of 2011. For example, the State Controller could “order the return of land or buildings transferred from RDA ownership to city ownership.” The SCO also plays an oversight role regarding the activities of the County Auditor-Controller. The SCO may request a review of any action taken by the Auditor-Controller within 3 days. It then has 10 days to approve the action or return it for reconsideration.