Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger has successfully led the creation of the Altadena Wildfire Recovery Infrastructure Financing District, marking a major step forward in rebuilding the community after the devastating Eaton Fire earlier this year.
Spearheading this effort from the start, Supervisor Barger secured the Board of Supervisors’ approval today for the County’s development of the District, which will provide a dedicated, long-term source of funding to restore critical infrastructure while strengthening Altadena’s resilience against future disasters.
“I’m proud to have championed this District as a tool to accelerate Altadena’s recovery,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Our residents have endured unimaginable loss. This new District ensures that we have a focused, sustainable way to fund the infrastructure improvements needed to help families, businesses, and neighborhoods rebuild stronger and safer than before.”
The District was established under recently enacted state legislation sponsored by the County, Senate Bill 782 (Perez), designed to help communities recover more quickly after disasters. Under this structure, the County will redirect future property tax revenues from the Altadena area back into the District to fund essential rebuilding projects that directly benefit the community.
Funds from the District will support a broad range of recovery efforts, including supporting the restoration of critical infrastructure like roads, sidewalks, sewer systems, street lights, and storm drains destroyed in the fire. Programs will also be identified to support septic-to-sewer conversion as well as electric utility connections for newly undergrounded electrical infrastructure.
The District will also prioritize opportunities to support affordable housing, small business recovery, and job training to help residents regain stability and rebuild their lives.
Funding from the District will also go to help support the rebuilding of County facilities impacted by the Eaton Fire, including the Altadena Senior Center, County parks, as well as Eaton Canyon.
“The Eaton Fire left deep scars on the Altadena community,” Supervisor Barger stated. “This innovative financing approach turns local tax growth into local recovery. Every dollar generated in this community will repair what was lost and equip our community with more resilience.”
The District will be overseen by a five-member Public Financing Authority, including three members of the Board of Supervisors–with Supervisor Barger among them– and two public members appointed by the Board. Once formed, the Authority will formally adopt an Infrastructure Financing Plan, which will determine priorities and sequencing for funding of individual projects and programs.