FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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2026-2029 CONTRIBUTION TO THE CENTER FOR DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Approve and authorize the General Manager to execute a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with California State University Fullerton Auxiliary Services Corporation for the continued operation of the Center for Demographic Research for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, for a total amount not to exceed $243,236.
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BACKGROUND
The Center for Demographic Research (CDR), located at California State University Fullerton, develops demographic and related information for Orange County. Since 1996, CDR has been supported by the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) and other sponsoring agencies or contributing partners. OC San uses CDR information to develop wastewater flow projections, assess capacity needs for sewer conveyance and treatment facilities, and project revenues from connection fees.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain and adhere to appropriate internal planning documents
• Sustain 1, 5, 20-year planning horizons
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
PROBLEM
OC San’s sponsorship of the CDR will end on June 30, 2026. Without OC San’s contribution to the CDR, the program will be impacted, and OC San specific products may no longer be prepared or be available for OC San’s use. These CDR prepared products are used for various master planning efforts at OC San.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Continue OC San’s support of the CDR as a Contributing Partner by approving the 2026-2029 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
TIMING CONCERNS
The CDR MOU must be executed by OC San’s General Manager and returned to CDR by June 30, 2026.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
OC San will no longer be a supporting member of the CDR, will not receive OC San specific population estimates and projections, and may not be eligible to receive other CDR generated reports and information. Similar information would need to be prepared via other means to continue OC San’s standard processes.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The CDR produces demographic based information such as the “Orange County Progress Report,” “Orange County Projections,” and census and employment data by traffic analysis zone. CDR is funded by the California State University Fullerton and via local agencies that serve as Sponsors or Contributing Partners. Sponsors include the County of Orange, Transportation Corridor Agencies, Orange County Transportation Authority, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Orange County Water District, Orange County Council of Governments, and Southern California Association of Governments. Contributing Partners include the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission and OC San.
Over the course of the three-year MOU, the CDR will operate with a budget of $3,906,061. California State University Fullerton shall contribute a total of $680,993, each of the six sponsorships shall contribute $486,472 (MWDOC and OCWD share a sponsorship) and Contributing Partners contributions are reflective of work elements to be performed.
The 2026-2029 MOU establishes OC San Contributing Partner fees at $77,272 for 2026-27, $80,308 for 2027-28, and $85,656 for 2028-29 - a total of $243,236 over three years. These increases range from 3.7% to 6.7% year-over-year based on CDR’s projected operating costs during this time.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The cost of support has been budgeted within the Operational Budget of Division 740 under Operating Expense (FY2024-25 and 2025-26 Budget, Section 6, Page 72) since 2014. If approved, this item will continue to be budgeted within the same line item.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• 2026-29 Center for Demographic Research MOU
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