SUBJECT
Title
CONSIDERATION OF RAMONA PUBLIC CEMETERY DISTRICT RESOLUTION REQUESTING EXPANSION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES FROM THREE TO FIVE MEMBERS (DISTRICTS: 2)
Body
OVERVIEW
On June 18, 2025, the Ramona Public Cemetery District Board of Trustees adopted Resolution No. 2025-01 requesting an increase in the number of trustees from three to five. In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 9025, the Board of Supervisors must consider the request within 60 days of receipt. The Ramona resolution was formally transmitted to the County on June 24, 2025.
While the District’s resolution cites governance considerations, a three-member board remains a standard and effective structure among California public cemetery districts, including those with comparable service areas and responsibilities.
This item recommends denying the request and retaining the District’s current three-member board structure.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON
1. Find that consideration of this item is not a project pursuant to Section 15378(b)(5) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Consider the Ramona Public Cemetery District’s Resolution No. 2025-01 requesting to increase the number of members of the Board of Trustees from three to five.
3. Deny the request and maintain the current Board of Trustees at three members.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Maintaining the current governance structure supports equitable service delivery by ensuring continued efficiency and accountability within the Ramona Public Cemetery District. No disproportionate impacts to historically underserved communities are anticipated as a result of this action.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This action supports the County of San Diego’s goal of sustaining effective public governance structures by ensuring that the size of special district boards aligns with operational needs and workload. A right-sized board promotes administrative efficiency and long-term governance stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
On June 18, 2025, the Ramona Public Cemetery District Board of Trustees adopted Resolution No. 2025-01 requesting an increase in the number of trustees from three to five. The resolution cites concerns about the Board’s ability to manage District responsibilities with only three members and asserts that expansion would improve governance through the creation of ad hoc committees and enhanced delegation of duties. It also claims that a three-member board is uncommon for a district of this size. The resolution affirms that trustees would not receive compensation or health benefits and that reimbursements would be limited to board-approved training. Authority to coordinate implementation was delegated to the District’s general counsel.
Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 9025, the Board of Supervisors is required to consider such resolutions within 60 days of receipt. The Ramona resolution was formally transmitted to the County on June 24, 2025. The Board of Supervisors retains full discretion to approve or deny the request. In this case, denial is recommended.
While the resolution outlines several governance considerations, a three-member board remains a standard and effective structure among California public cemetery districts, including those with comparable service areas and responsibilities. For example, the Pomerado Cemetery District in Poway and the North County Cemetery District, which are both located in San Diego County, operate under three-member boards appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. Similarly, statewide examples such as the Byron-Brentwood-Knightsen Union Cemetery District in Contra Costa County and Sierra County Cemetery District #3 function effectively with three trustees.
California Health and Safety Code Section 9021(a) permits public cemetery districts to have either three or five trustees, depending on local needs. Many districts retain a three-member board to streamline decision-making, minimize administrative burden, maintain quorum, and avoid unnecessary complexity. Expanding to five members may introduce additional coordination challenges without a proportionate benefit in oversight or performance, particularly for districts that operate with limited staff and a focused scope of services. Given this statutory framework, common statewide practice, and the absence of demonstrated operational necessity, maintaining the current three-member board in Ramona remains appropriate.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
This item supports the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan through the Strengthen Operational Excellence and Empower and Engage Community Strategic Initiatives by promoting responsible governance and ensuring effective service delivery within special districts.
Respectfully submitted,
JOEL ANDERSON
Supervisor, Second District
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A- Ramona Public Cemetery District - Request to Increase Board of Trustees
from 3 to 5 Members pursuant to Health & Safety Code Section 9025