Success Stories

Steps toward Self-Governance
Mountain House, CA

In 2007 the Mountain House community reached its threshold of 1,000 registered voters which started the process toward self-governance. Currently the San Joaquin Board of Supervisors serves as the Board of Directors for community's local government, the Mountain House Community Services District (MHCSD). A group of residents, who had led a grassroots campaign to register voters, had expressed concern that the Board of Supervisors and/or the MHCSD staff were reluctant to move forward with the election process. In addition, there was a general lack of understanding about the Board responsibilities, method of representation and timing of the election process among the Mountain House residents.

Prior to the November 4, 2007 election for independence, AIM Consulting worked with the MHCSD to develop a comprehensive education and outreach program to assure that all registered voters in Mountain House were aware of and understood the facts and issues regarding the vote for independence and the structure of the government.

AIM Consulting created an informational brochure explaining the process, the action plan and schedule of events. Mountain House residents were sent the brochure, a short survey form to provide input on self-governance and the options for representation and an application to serve on an Ad Hoc Advisory Council.

In addition, AIM Consulting facilitated two community workshops to provide the Ad Hoc Advisory Council and the general public with information on government structure, Board responsibilities and the election process of self-governance and to solicit input regarding the next steps. More than 100 residents attended each meeting and expressed their concerns and provided input regarding the self-governance issues. Upon completion of the outreach program, the Ad Hoc Advisory Council was able to provide the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation to initiate the ballot process. Residents expressed an appreciation for the inclusive and open process that the MHCSD staff provided regarding this issue.