The Madera Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is an autonomous agency that is not part of County Government. However, the Madera LAFCO has chosen to contract for staff services with the County of Madera. The mission of Madera LAFCO is to coordinate logical and timely changes in local governmental boundaries and to implement the applicable provisions of State law, namely the Cortese-Knox- Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000.

LAFCOs have been established in each of California's 58 counties with the basic charge of discouraging urban sprawl and encouraging orderly formation and development of local agencies based upon local conditions and circumstances. LAFCO sets spheres of influence for each city and special district within its jurisdiction; conducts special studies to review potential simplification and streamlining of governmental structure and increase cost effectiveness; and provides for reorganization or consolidation of local governmental agencies when appropriate. It is LAFCO's goal to prevent premature or illogically planned development and to see that services are provided efficiently and economically while agricultural and open-space lands are protected.

The governing body of Madera LAFCO consists of a 5 members Commission, including two members of the Board of Supervisors, 1 member each from the Madera and Chowchilla city councils, and one public member. While 4 of the 5 members are appointed by local jurisdictions, each Commissioner is independent when weighing and reviewing information and when making determinations.

Madera LAFCO meetings are held once a month as needed, on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. at:

Madera County Government Center
200 West 4th Street, First Floor, Board of Supervisors Chamber, Madera, CA 93637

50 Years of LAFCOs - A Guide to LAFCOs 

 Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 -  2023 Guide

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