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District of Distinction Badge

// Showcase Your District's Commitment to Excellence

2025 SDLF Level Up Challenge

In a time where proper fiscal management and responsibility in public agencies is paramount and the task of governing these agencies has become even more complex, regulated, and costly, it has become increasingly important to demonstrate to constituents that districts have sound fiscal management policies and practices in place among other areas of importance in district operations.

Is Your District Ready To Level Up?

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// For Directors and Trustees

Certificate in Special District Governance

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// For General Manager and Other Management Staff

Certified Special District Manager

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// Showcase Your District's Commitment to Transparency

District Transparency Certificate of Excellence

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// Recognition Program for Aspiring Managers

Essential Leadership Skills Certificate

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Programs

img-programs-BW.pngThe Special District Leadership Foundation offers five programs to promote good governance and best practices among California's Special Districts: Certified Special District Manager; Essential Leadership Skills Certificate; Certificate in Special District Governance; District Transparency Certificate of Excellence; and Districts of Distinction Accreditation.

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Scholarships

img-scholarships-BW.pngThe Special District Leadership Foundation offers a number of scholarships, designed to help California special district elected/appointed officials and staff from districts with limited budgets participate in the foundation’s programs and other educational offerings.


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cog-white.pngCitizen's Academy

A Citizen’s Academy is an informational and/or instructional program designed to provide constituents of a district with the education needed for them to gain a strong working knowledge of the functions and operations of the district.

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The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) believes that ethics, transparency, accountability, efficiency and good policy choices are essential to earning the public’s trust and making government work effectively. The Special District Leadership Foundation has been critical to CMSD’s success of earning the public’s trust because of its good governance programs, which focus on the key areas the public demands from their government.

Scott Carroll, CSDM,
General Manager, CMSD

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) believes that ethics, transparency, accountability, efficiency and good policy choices are essential to earning the public’s trust and making government work effectively. The Special District Leadership Foundation has been critical to CMSD’s success of earning the public’s trust because of its good governance programs, which focus on the key areas the public demands from their government.

Scott Carroll, CSDM,
General Manager, CMSD