NBS Government Finance GroupCITY OF LA QUINTA
Statement of Qualifications for:
Land-Secured Financing Services
March 5, 2025
nbsgov.com
Aerial view of City of La Quinta
via Google Earth
helping communities
fund tomorrow since 1996
helping communities fund tomorrow
32605 Temecula Parkway, Suite 100
Temecula, CA 92592
Toll free: 800.676.7516
nbsgov.com
March 5, 2025
1 |COVER LETTER
Rosemary Hallick
Principal Management Analyst
City of La Quinta
78495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
RE: Statement of Qualifications for Land-Secured Financing Services
Dear Rosemary,
We understand that the City of La Quinta (City) faces several upcoming challenges related to annexation of
property in the City’s Sphere of Influence, potential expansion of the Sphere, potential utility
undergrounding and concerns about aging electrical infrastructure and provision of electric services. These
and other issues may require new capital funding sources such as Assessment Districts ADs) or Community
Facilities Districts (CFDs).
We can assist the City in both the feasibility and formation of both ADs and CFDs, including ADs formed
under the 1911 Act, the 1913 Act, or if applicable, under the PBID Law of 1994. We offer decades of
technical experience with these financial tools. Our interactive approach will incorporate stakeholder
involvement to ensure that the resulting funding mechanism meet the needs of the City, property owners,
residents and developers. Choosing NBS for this important project offers the following advantages:
Exemplary Team – Our team is comprised of assessment and special tax finance specialists with decades of
experience.
Technically Sound Funding Alternatives – We will take a creative approach in evaluating revenue options
while providing technically sound recommendations founded on established industry-accepted practices.
The NBS headquarters in Temecula, California will serve as the location of the office that would service this
project. Pricing provided in the presentation is valid for at least ninety (90) days. Any individual who will
perform work for the City on behalf of NBS are free of any conflict of interest.
Please contact me at 800.676.7516 or via email at smares@nbsgov.com if you have any questions or would
like to discuss our professional qualifications further. We would genuinely like to work on this project and
help the City move forward successfully.
Sincerely,
Sara Mares Michael Rentner, Authorized Signer
Chief Operating Officer President
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | ii
District Formation Consulting
BACKGROUND, QUALIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE
In
Business
NBS is a 100%
employee-owned
S-Corporation
(not a subsidiary)
NBS HEADQUARTERS
32605 Temecula Pkwy | Suite 100
Temecula, CA 92592
CONTACT
Sara Mares | 800.676.7516
smares@nbsgov.com
LEGAL NAME
NBS Government
Finance Group
DBA
NBS
INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE
AGREEMENT
Michael Rentner, President
The NBS District Formation Consulting practice ensures your Special Financing Districts (SFD) and
related revenue tools are well-developed from their inception.
We act as strong advocates for our public agency clients to ensure that any SFD or
other revenue tool is appropriate and well-crafted for the need. Throughout our
engagement, we provide sage guidance and recommendations. We are often called
upon to present complex issues to councils, boards and interested parties.
We have supported thousands of SFDs including millions of parcels and have
worked through virtually every conceivable challenge in their use. Our experience is
with all manner of property related fees, special assessments, and special taxes –
including Community Facilities Districts (CFDs).
Whether the need is identifying and funding negative fiscal impacts, financing
needed infrastructure, or providing community-desired services, our expert
consultants have deep experience and help navigate the challenges.
AT-A-GLANCE: HELPING COMMUNITIES FUND TOMORROW
Incorporated on May 13, 1996 in
California, NBS provides the
following services to our local agency
clients:
•Since 1996, Special Financing
Districts (SFDs), formation
and administration of special
assessments and taxes,
including Community
Facilities Districts
•Water and wastewater utility
rate programs
•Cost allocation plans
•User, Regulatory and
Development Impact Fees
•Public Outreach and
Community Engagement
29
YEARS
52
employees
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | iii
How NBS Stands Out
NBS’ Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) publication. We
believe in continuing education, not only for our own team,
but also for our clients and municipal staff.
As industry leaders, we have a unique set of qualifications and
experience in the work we perform. In that regard, we have
published four booklets on related industry topics that can be
downloaded at no charge at www.nbsgov.com/insights (click
on NBS Publications). For a hard copy, please call 800.676.7516
or email contactnbs@nbsgov.com.
Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) explains this robust funding
and financing tool for local governments in California and relates
to the City’s current project needs.
• Special Financing Districts (SFDs) has been credited as the
best publication on SFDs in a decade by prominent industry
professionals.
• NBS produced a video titled An Introduction to
Community Facilities Districts in California, available by
clicking here.
NBS Key Personnel Assigned to Project
NBS’ staff of 52 professionals have extensive experience in the fields of finance, management, engineering,
and local governance and combine their knowledge to produce a synergy that results in maximum success
and minimum risk. We work with our clients as partners by developing an intricate knowledge of their needs
and responding with strategic and timely solutions.
The following is a brief overview of the NBS key personnel proposed to manage and complete the work
noted for this engagement.
SARA MARES, SENIOR REVIEW
Roles and Responsibilities: Sara Mares will provide technical review, including the evaluation of alternatives
and results, as needed throughout the project. She will assist the project team in developing the best
solutions that will fit the City’s unique characteristics and issues.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | iv
Work Experience: Sara Mares is NBS’ Chief Operating Officer with more than 24 years of experience with
NBS. She forms Special Financing Districts (SFDs), specializing in Community Facilities Districts and related
bond issuance. She also has significant background in forming various types of Assessment Districts. Sara has
experience working with all aspects of the formation, annexation and debt issuance process, including
planning, project management, budget analysis, rate modeling, financial analyses, formulation of rate and
methods of apportionment, and public presentations. She spent many years involved in ongoing special
district administration, including working with distressed districts, and brings that experience and
perspective to every formation project she works on. She is a registered Municipal Advisor Representative.
SANDRA BURKHART, SENIOR CONSULTANT
Work Experience: Sandra Burkhart is a Senior Consultant with NBS. She has a broad background in Special
Financing Districts (SFDs), including formations and tax/assessment increases for a variety of types of special
assessments and special taxes. In addition, Sandra is versed in annual SFD administration for many types of
SFDs. Her depth of experience spans special project implementation and administration, including
coordination of public hearings and assisting with code compliance. Sandra‘s two decades of professional
experience includes six years working for public agencies; she brings a valuable public agency perspective to
her work. Sandra is a registered Municipal Advisor Representative.
NICK DAYHOFF, SENIOR CONSULTANT
Work Experience: Nick Dayhoff has been with NBS for 19 years. As a Senior Consultant, he is actively
involved with new Special Financing District (SFD) formations including Assessment Districts and Community
Facilities Districts, parcel tax modeling, bond issuance/refunding analyses, fiscal impact analyses, and
feasibility studies. Nick is a Registered Municipal Advisor Representative.
GREG GHIRONZI, SENIOR CONSULTANT
Work Experience: Greg Ghironzi is a Senior Consultant with NBS in our District Formation Consulting Group.
With more than 30 years of experience in public finance, he possesses a broad understanding of local
government management and public revenue tools. Greg assists public agencies with feasibility analysis and
selection of appropriate financing tools where several options are legally feasible. He applies his years of
experience to match the project with the available solutions of taxes, assessments, and fees. Greg then
provides Proposition 218 compliant formation, annexation, and ongoing administration of land-based
Special Financing Districts (SFDs) to fund capital projects and ongoing maintenance and services. He has
prepared rate and method of special tax apportionment and special assessment / special benefit
methodologies and models, and he has formed 250+ SFDs. Greg is a Registered Municipal Advisor.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 | COVER LETTER…………………………………………………………………………………………………..PREVIOUS SECTION
BACKGROUND, QUALIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE ............................................................ II
2 | REFERENCES OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AGENCIES .................................................................. 1
3 | COMPLETE PRICING LIST FOR FEE SCHEDULE ................................................................................... 5
4 | LIST OF COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES ................................................................................................. 7
5 | STAFFING AND PROJECT ORGANIZATION ....................................................................................... 10
6 | SUBCONTRACTING SERVICES .......................................................................................................... 11
7 | DISCLOSURES .................................................................................................................................. 12
8 | EXPLANATION OF METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................. 14
9 | NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT (ATTACHMENT 1) .............................................................................. 16
APPENDICES .......................................................................................................................................... 17
APPENDIX A | PROJECT TEAM RESUMES .............................................................................................. 18
APPENDIX B | ADDENDUM ................................................................................................................... 23
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 1
2 | REFERENCES OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Below is a sampling of projects and references similar in scope and magnitude to the City’s needs.
CITY OF FOLSOM, CA
CFD FEASIBILITY STUDY AND FORMATION FOR THE FOLSOM PLAN AREA
Project Dates: 2013 – Present
Contact Information The City of Folsom’s Folsom Plan Area (“FPA”) is located on
approximately 3,500 acres and is envisioned to contain
approximately 10,200 residential units and 5.2 million
building square feet of non-residential space. The City is
utilizing CFD financing to fund a portion of the estimated
$877 million backbone infrastructure and public facilities
necessary to serve the FPA at buildout. NBS serves as the
City’s ongoing CFD special tax consultant and has assisted in
the development of a financing structure that will allow for a
consistent special tax per EDU for all FPA-wide
improvements and services, increased flexibility in the debt
service structure, and minimizes the number of line items on
the future homeowner’s property tax bill.
John Donoghue
Deputy Treasurer
50 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630
P: 916.355.7334
E: jdonoghue@folsom.ca.us
NBS Project Manager(s): Greg Davidson,
and Stephanie Parson
COUNTY OF IMPERIAL
GATEWAY COUNTY SERVICE AREA ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 2024-1
(SERVICES ASSESSMENT DISTRICT)
Service Dates: 2021 – 2024
Contact Information:
Naomi Robles
Administrative Analyst III
Imperial County Dept of Public Works
155 S. 11th Street
El Centro, CA 92243
P: 442.265.1843
E: naomirobles@co.imperial.ca.us
NBS Project Manager: Sara Mares,
Sandra Burkhart
NBS was charged with the administration of an assessment within
the Gateway County Services Area which was formed initially in 1998
with updates completed in 2001. Changes to the area and needs for
increased funding to accomplish significant maintenance to the
water and sewer systems along with street lighting operation and
common area maintenance necessitated an assessment increase. A
complete revision of the County Service Area Law and current
parameters of Prop 218 combined to require a fresh look at the
assessment district. The new assessment district was approved by
property owners and will replace the old assessment.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 2
CITY OF LINCOLN, CA
CFD FORMATION SERVICES
Project Dates: 2018-2019
Contact Information City of Lincoln CFD 2019-1 (Independence). NBS was hired to
form a bonded CFD to reimburse a developer for
transportation, water system , recycled water system,
drainage, wastewater, and park improvements to be
constructed. Through the formation process, it became
apparent that funding would be needed in the future for park
maintenance and capital replacement. NBS worked with the
City to develop a “transitional CFD” that allows the special tax
to transition from paying for debt service to a lower rate that
will fund the maintenance and replacement needs.
Ray Leftwich
Public Works Director/City Engineer
600 Sixth Street
Lincoln, CA 95648
P: 916.434.2457
E: Ray.Leftwich@lincolnca.gov
NBS Project Manager: Sara Mares, Nick
Dayhoff
CITY OF LIVERMORE
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FORMATION
Service Dates: 2016 – 2021
Contact Information
Mallika Ramachandran
Assistant City Engineer
1052 South Livermore Avenue
Livermore, CA 94550
P: 510.754.6171
E: mramachandran@cityoflivermore.net
Pleasant View Lane - The area around Pleasant View Lane was
a pocket of County land within the City of Livermore. As such,
it was required to annex to the City, but failing septic systems,
a narrow road and updates to street lighting, grading and
striping were required to be completed prior to annexation.
NBS formed AD No. 2016-2 to finance the required
improvements which were ultimately funded with a City-
issued and held bond.
Trevarno Road - Initially, NBS provided a financing options
memorandum considering various financing mechanisms to
allow property owners to finance replacement of failing
private water and sewer infrastructure. An Assessment District
was selected as the most appropriate financing tool. For the
Assessment District formation process, NBS prepared all
necessary assessment documents, including Engineer’s Report,
Assessment Diagram, public hearing documents, ballots, and
cash pay off letter. We also fielded property owner phone calls
and provided outreach through several property owner
meetings and outreach materials.
NBS Project Manager: Sara Mares and
Sandra Burkhart
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 3
CITY OF PALMDALE
FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS AND CFD FORMATION FOR RITTER RANCH DEVELOPMENT
Service Dates: 2021 – Present
Approximate Contract Amount: $43,000
Contact Information In 2021, NBS was contracted by the City to prepare a fiscal
impact analysis for phase one of the Ritter Ranch
Development. NBS identified the fiscal impact of the 1,180
for-sale residential homes that comprise phase one of the
master plan. The analysis considered City financials and
projected future revenues and expenditures resulting from
the addition of new homes and residents to the City. The
analysis informed the services Community Facilities District
(CFD).
Tim Carney
Collection System Superintendent
38300 Sierra Highway
Palmdale, CA 93550
P: 661.267.5367
E: tcarney@cityofpalmdale.org
NBS Project Manager(s):
Sara Mares, Sandra Burkhart
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS & CFD FORMATION, DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE
Service Dates: 2015 – Ongoing
Project Cost: Approximately $112,500
Contact Information (FIA & CFD) The City of Rancho Cucamonga has entrusted NBS with
various Special Financing District (SFD) Consulting projects
over the past several years, from Fiscal Impact Analysis (FIA),
Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) Formation and
Proposition 218 Compliance, to CFD Formation, Annexation
and ongoing annual administration of the City’s SFDs. The FIA
work completed for the City involved several existing MADs,
which were outdated and underfunded. In lieu of developing
property annexing into these outdated MADs, NBS worked
with the City to establish new CFDs with special tax rates to
provide an optimal level of service. The funding levels and
CFD special tax rates are supported by a FIA evaluating the
baseline, current, and optimal level of funding for the existing
MADs, but also included funding levels and costs specific to
the development of the defined project area.
This study updated impact fees previously calculated for the
City of Rancho Cucamonga by Joe Colgan in 2014. Together,
NBS and Joe Colgan completed an impact fee update study
for Park Land and Improvements, Community and Recreation
Centers, Libraries, and Police Facilities.
The work of this study included updating demographic data,
including the inclusion of a major annexation, as well as
facility costs used in the impact fee calculations. Updated
impact fees were calculated to reflect those changes.
Kelly Guerra
Special Districts Analyst
10500 Civic Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
P: 909.477.2700 Ext. 2582
E: kelly.guerra@cityofrc.us
Contact Information (DIF)
Brian Sandona
Senior Engineer
10500 Civic Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729
P: 909.477.2740 Ext 4020
F: 909.477.2849
E: Brian.Sandona@CityofRC.us
NBS Project Manager(s):
Stephanie Parson, Sara Mares, Sandra
Burkhart (FIA & CFD), Nicole Kissam (DIF),
Joe Colgan (DIF)
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 4
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FORMATION SERVICES
Project Dates: May 2020 – January 2021
Contact Information The City’s downtown area had multiple assessments in place to
fund a variety of services. NBS was engaged to form a new
Landscape and Lighting Assessment District that would
consolidate the services under one funding tool, expand the
services and create a more inclusive Downtown LLD. NBS
provided detailed general and special benefit analysis and
assessment engineering services for the new District, including
developing a new Engineer’s Report, along with mailed notices
and ballots.
Chris Cimino
Director of Public Works
232 Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
P: 626.355.6615
E: CCimino@cityofsierramadre.com
NBS Project Manager: Sandra Burkhart,
Sara Mares
As part of this study, NBS carried out a detailed analysis of a
random sample of 2019 police calls for service to establish
the distribution of calls among various types of development
and to calculate calls-per-unit-per year factors for use in the
impact fee calculations.
The City Council adopted the updated impact fees in
December 2020.
NBS is currently under a separate contract to review Fire
Protection Facilities fees for the Rancho Cucamonga Fire
District. The final report for this study is complete and
pending Board review and adoption.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 5
3 | COMPLETE PRICING LIST FOR FEE SCHEDULE
Our proposed fees below are based upon our understanding of the varied project areas and include
reasonable assumptions on iterations and number of meetings. We understand that there may be project
areas with varying degrees of complexity. As with all of our engagements, we fully expect to collaborate
with the City to refine the final scope and fee if selected for this effort.
CFD FORMATION
Bonded CFD Formation ................................................................................................... $24,500 to $38,500
Factors such as number of Improvement Areas, number and type of voters (registered voters or landowner
electors), number of parcels and overall complexity of the special tax formula affect pricing.
Bond Issuance Disclosure ................................................................................................ $18,500 to $28,500
Factors such as number of parcels and overall complexity of the financing and data required affect pricing.
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FORMATION
Bonded AD Formation ..................................................................................................... $28,500 to $68,500
Factors such as number of parcels, number of property owners and overall complexity of the assessment
methodology affect pricing.
Bond Issuance Disclosure ................................................................................................ $18,500 to $28,500
Factors such as number of parcels and overall complexity of the financing and data required affect pricing.
EXPENSES
Customary out-of-pocket expenses are billed at the actual cost incurred. These expenses may include
mailing fulfillment, postage, reproduction, telephone, travel, meals and various third-party charges for data,
maps, and recording fees.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
The table below shows our current hourly rates. Additional services authorized by the City but not included
in the scope of services will be billed at this rate or the then applicable hourly rate.
Title Hourly Rate
Senior Review $275
Director $250
Associate Director / Engineer $225
Senior Consultant $200
Consultant $175
Senior Project Analyst $165
Project Analyst $150
Project Resource Analyst $130
Clerical / Support $110
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 6
TERMS
Formation services will be invoiced monthly. Fees for all other services will be invoiced monthly for work
completed. Expenses will be itemized and included in the next regular invoice. If the project is prematurely
terminated by either party, NBS shall receive payment for work completed. Payment shall be made within
30 days of submittal of an invoice. If payment is not received within 90 days, simple interest will begin to
accrue at the rate of 1.5% per month. Either party can cancel consulting contract with 30 days’ written
notice.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 7
4 | LIST OF COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES
Optional Engagement Services
As communication is paramount, the NBS team
developed the CivicMic platform, which focuses on
providing collaborative governance services including
outreach, public engagement, and adaptive
management, bringing citizen voices into the governance process. Through our customized approach, we
engage residents of diverse backgrounds for unique perspectives using social media and other collaborative
activities.
Optional engagement services for this project include:
INITIAL RESEARCH – KICK-OFF MEETING, PROJECT SCHEDULE
NBS will communicate with the City throughout the project's duration to clarify the City's goals, identify any
particular circumstances, and develop a realistic project schedule. NBS will meet with City staff, legal
counsel, and other interested parties to:
• Establish lines of communication
• Clarify the specific project goals and criteria that will meet the City's preferences
• Identify and resolve any special circumstances regarding the engagement process
• Develop an annual engagement schedule to provide for effective interaction of stakeholders
CREATION OF A COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Develop a comprehensive toolkit including website content, talking points, multilingual FAQs, postcards,
content releases, timelines, checklists, and guidelines for various communication activities.
WEBPAGE CREATION – DEVELOP AND DEPLOY CONTENT TO A DEDICATED DISTRICT WEBPAGE
AND SOCIAL MEDIA
This task includes but is not limited to the following items:
• Background on the need for this project and revenue
• History of use of current funds available to the City
• Legislative background
• Annual reports
• Surveys
• Meeting announcements and minutes
• Recordings of community meetings
• Calendar of anticipated events (such as
community meetings and service
schedules)
• Specialized mapping and graphics. The
sample map shown here details parcels
engaged in a community on CivicMic.com
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 8
EMAIL CAMPAIGN – ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EMAIL LIST
Using the CivicMic platform, we will establish an email contact list for most participants in this engagement.
In addition, multiple postcards will be mailed out announcing the survey and community meetings and
explaining how to sign up at CivicMic.com to receive updates.
FOCUSED COMMUNITY MEETINGS – PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING MEETING SERVICES:
• Hosting one virtual and one in-person meeting to allow the community to discuss current issues
• Creation and posting of Community Meeting notices on various outlets
• Leading of meetings with objectives created with the City before the meeting
• Development of action items based on feedback received at Community Meetings or from surveys
and other ongoing communication efforts
• Recordings of Community Meetings that will be shared to CivicMic.com and social media sites
SURVEYS – DEVELOP ONE ONLINE/MAILED SURVEY TO GATHER INFORMATION
Surveys will be sent at the beginning of the engagement efforts to determine support for a CFD and to
create an educational outreach plan.
WORKING GROUP
The CivicMic team will work with previously identified stakeholders in the community to educate them on a
closer level about the formation process and provide resources for roadblocks in sharing information. This
group will meet monthly until the notice of intent is approved by the Town Council.
Community Facilities District (CFD) Administration
NBS will meet with City staff, legal counsel and other interested parties to kick the process off, request and
confirm data needs and discuss project milestones. NBS will then provide a financial snapshot based on a
cash flow analysis utilizing funds on hand and the Special Tax Requirement (including upcoming debt service
needs coupled with administrative cost recovery (as outlined in §53317(e) and §53340 of the Government
Code of the State of California). NBS will calculate and submit the annual special tax levy for each parcel
pursuant to the Rate and Method of Apportionment to the County of Riverside, with direct bills sent for low
assessed value/non-billable parcels. NBS will provide an annual Special Tax Levy Report that details the
financial health of the District annually. In addition, NBS will provide delinquency monitoring and other
disclosure related reporting as required (Continuing Disclosure, CDIAC reporting, SB 165 reporting, State
Controller’s Office AB 2109 reporting, Notice of Special Tax, etc.).
And importantly, NBS has a well-staffed Customer Care department to respond to interested parties and
property owners regarding the CFD, prepayment calculation requests, etc., with bilingual staff available for
Spanish-speaking property owners.
Assessment District (AD) Administration
NBS will hold a kick-off meeting to establish communication and review annual procedures. They will collect
relevant parcel data and update and maintain a database of District data and annually track and maintain
parcel changes and assessment lien apportionment data. NBS will assist in identifying costs associated with
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 9
administration for cost recovery through the levy, they will review District balances and make
recommendations to ensure fund balances are in compliance with bond documents and to determine the
sufficiency of the flow of funds. They will calculate and submit the levy to the County Auditor-Controller.
Parcels not accepted for collection on the tax rolls will be invoiced directly. NBS will then provide an Annual
Report that will include details relevant to the District and annual levy, and provide a report of
delinquencies after each installment becomes due. NBS will prepare bond call documents and coordinate
the call with the Paying Agent/Trustee and will provide prepayment calculations and amortization
schedules. They will prepare documents required to release the liens of parcels that have prepaid the
assessment and will provide a GC §53754 "Notice of Special Assessment”* disclosure notice on request. NBS
will prepare required Annual Continuing Disclosure Reports*, GC §53754 CDIAC Reports, and R&T 163
Reports as well as provide a toll-free phone number for property owners and other interested parties.
Bilingual staff is available for Spanish-speaking property owners.
*Additional related services are available, and fees may apply to either the City or requesting party. Detailed scopes and
fees for additional services can be provided upon request.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 10
5 | STAFFING AND PROJECT ORGANIZATION
One of our greatest strengths and a critical element in successful project execution is a team that works
cohesively, efficiently, and has expertise in resolving complex issues. We treat our clients as partners by
developing an intimate knowledge of their needs and responding with strategic and timely solutions.
The staff selected are those most qualified based on their experience and backgrounds. Outlined below is a
brief overview of NBS’ proposed consulting team for the City:
Project Organizational Chart
All work will be performed in-house by the above employee-owners of NBS.
Full resumes are included on the following pages.
Sara Mares
Senior Review
Nicole Kissam
Client Services Director
Jeremy Jung
GIS Senior Consultant
GIS Mapping
Project
Management
Client
Services
City Stakeholders, Management and Staff
Sandra Burkhart
Nick Dayhoff
Greg Ghironzi
Senior Consultants
Depending on the specific
project scope and timing,
any one of the above listed
senior consultants may
serve as Project Manager.
Review/Approval of
NBS Engineer’s Report
John Egan, PE
Jeremy Tamargo
Customer Care Team
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 11
6 | SUBCONTRACTING SERVICES
NBS will not be utilizing subcontracting services for this effort.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 12
7 | DISCLOSURES
Litigation
We have had no lawsuits, litigation nor claims during the past five years. We did have two instances that
could be termed “requests” over the five-year period. Both were amicably resolved via corrections and
certain refunds made by NBS. The latter is not uncommon in our industry involving Special Financing District
Administration services where millions of calculations are made annually based on tens of millions of data
inputs.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Legal or Disciplinary Events
Pursuant to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) Rule G-42 on Duties of Non-Solicitor
Municipal Advisors, Municipal Advisors are required to make certain written disclosures to clients and
potential clients which include, amongst other things, Conflicts of Interest and any Legal or Disciplinary
events of NBS Government Finance Group (“NBS”) and its associated persons.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Compensation
NBS represents that in connection with the issuance of municipal securities, NBS may receive
compensation from an Issuer or Obligated Person for services rendered. Any such compensation may be
contingent upon the successful closing of a transaction and/or is based on the size of a transaction.
Consistent with the requirements of MSRB Rule G-42, NBS hereby discloses that such contingent and/or
transactional compensation may present a potential conflict of interest regarding NBS’ ability to provide
unbiased advice to enter into such transaction. This conflict of interest does not impair NBS’ ability to
render unbiased and competent advice or to fulfill its fiduciary duty to the Issuer.
It should be noted that other forms of compensation (i.e., hourly or fixed-fee based) may also present a
potential conflict of interest regarding NBS’ ability to provide advice regarding a municipal security
transaction. These other potential conflicts of interest will not impair NBS’ ability to render unbiased and
competent advice or to fulfill its fiduciary duty to the Issuer.
The fee paid to NBS increases the cost of investment to your agency. The increased cost occurs from
compensating NBS for municipal advisory services provided.
Other Municipal Advisor Relationships
NBS serves a wide variety of other clients that may from time to time have interests that could have a
direct or indirect impact on the interests of another NBS client. For example, NBS serves as Municipal
Advisor to other municipal advisory clients and, in such cases, owes a regulatory duty to such other clients
just as it does to your agency. These other clients may, from time to time and depending on the specific
circumstances, have competing interests. In acting in the interests of its various clients, NBS could
potentially face a conflict of interest arising from these competing client interests. NBS fulfills its regulatory
duty and mitigates such conflicts through dealing honestly and with the utmost good faith with your
agency.
If NBS becomes aware of any additional potential or actual conflict of interest after this disclosure, NBS will
disclose the detailed information in writing to the issuer or obligated person in a timely manner.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 13
LEGAL OR DISCIPLINARY EVENTS
NBS does not have any legal events or disciplinary history on NBS’ Form MA and Form MA-I, which includes
information about any criminal actions, regulatory actions, investigations, terminations, judgments, liens,
civil judicial actions, customer complaints, arbitrations, and civil litigation. The Issuer may electronically
access NBS’ most recent Form MA and each most recent Form MA-I filed with the Commission at the
following website: www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html.
There have been no material changes to a legal or disciplinary event disclosure on any Form MA or Form
MA-I filed with the SEC. If any material legal or regulatory action is brought against NBS, NBS will provide
complete disclosure to the Issuer in detail allowing the Issuer to evaluate NBS, its management and
personnel.
Pursuant to Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Rule G-10, on Investor and Municipal Advisory Client
Education and Protection, Municipal Advisors are required to provide certain written information to their
municipal entity and obligated person clients which include the following:
• NBS is currently registered as a Municipal Advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.
• Within the MSRB website at www.msrb.org, the Municipal Advisory client brochure that is posted
on the MSRB website may be obtained. The brochure describes the protections that may be
provided by the MSRB Rules along with how to file a complaint with financial regulatory
authorities.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 14
8 | EXPLANATION OF METHODOLOGY
Explanation of Methodology: Community Facilities District Formation
NBS approaches each Community Facilities District formation as a problem solver. Our aim is for the City to
stand out in front of its constituents, to include its developers, property owners, City Council, and other
interested parties. The goals of each CFD are unique and we tailor the development of the Rate and
Method of Apportionment and design of the Special Tax Rates to first and foremost meet the local goals
and policies set by the City, and achieve the desired outcomes. To this end, we have formed CFDs
throughout California to include the following features:
• Multiple Improvement Areas
• Future Annexation Area with provisions for streamlined annexation
• Financing facilities and funding services in a single CFD
• Transitional special tax that allows special tax funds to be used for bonds initially, then services
following the bond repayment
• Contingent special taxes that are only levied under specific circumstances
• City-wide registered voter CFDs
We approach this project as an extension of City staff. NBS works with you as partners and listens to your
concerns; we will solicit your active involvement in the project yet respect your time by not burdening you
with unnecessary requests. In order to provide these advantages to the City, we believe that
communication is a key factor.
NBS manages the above analysis using tools we have developed over many years of
providing similar services. To wit, we have customized cost estimation and budgeting
tools and GIS Dashboards that provide our clients with resources to work collaboratively
through the CFD formation process.
Explanation of Methodology: Assessment District Formation
NBS approaches every assessment district with a fresh look to evaluate the location and nature of the
specific improvements and services, the characteristics of the property receiving special benefits and the
varying circumstances that may be present. Behind that fresh look is the experience of our team who have
been performing annual administration, formation and Prop 218 compliance services for more than 20
years. Those years have seen an evolution in process and standards with every revision to the law and
every new court case that interprets that law and NBS staff is at the forefront of the assessment
engineering practice.
This work begins with:
1. Identifying the location of the improvements being maintained
2. Ascertaining accurate maintenance and servicing cost estimates, including a ten-year budgeting
forecast inclusive of any needed capital replacement or larger periodic maintenance costs
3. Reviewing the district boundary and parcels assessed
4. Appraising the current general and special benefit language
5. Evaluating the characterization and proportional allocation of special benefits
6. Making recommendations as to how to address any deficiencies discovered
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 15
NBS manages the above analysis using tools we have developed over many years of
providing similar services. To wit, we have customized cost estimation and budgeting tools
and GIS Dashboards that provide our clients with resources to work collaboratively through
the assessment review and subsequent assessment engineering process.
NBS Engineer’s Reports will represent the culmination of the prior analysis and
recommendations. Special care is taken in the writing of the Engineer’s Reports to
prepare a document that is both clear and concise, but also addresses the specificity
required of a defensible assessment methodology. It has been made clear through
various court cases that simply saying that X% of the benefit is general with no rationale
or attempt to utilize metrics to calculate such percentage is not appropriate. Further, simply stating that all
parcels receive the same proportional special benefit with no analysis is likewise insufficient.
NBS staff has extensive experience presenting the complex and perhaps arcane topic of
assessment engineering to a variety of stakeholders including staff, Council and property
owners. We strive to communicate in a manner that is detailed yet concise and encourage
open dialogue to ensure a full understanding is achieved. NBS believes that deliberate and
thoughtful communication develops trustworthy and engaged property owners willing to
collaborate with the City in finding solutions.
Full scopes are available upon request.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 16
9 | NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT (ATTACHMENT 1)
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 17
APPENDICES
The appendices contain:
• Appendix A: Full Resumes for our Key Project Personnel
• Appendix B: Addendum
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 18
APPENDIX A | PROJECT TEAM RESUMES
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 19
EDUCATION
• Bachelor of Arts, with honors,
Economics, Mills College
• Continuing education from UC
Davis, UCLA, CDIAC, etc.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Registered Municipal Advisor
Representative
• 24 years of experience
• Expert Special Tax Consultant
• District Formations
• Reassessment Consulting
• Proposition 218
AFFILIATIONS
• California Society of Municipal
Finance Officers (CSMFO)
• California Special Districts
Association (CSDA)
• Committee on Special
Assessments, Taxes and Other
Financing Facilities (CASTOFF)
• Women in Public Finance (WPF)
SPEAKING / MEDIA
• Maintenance Services Funding: A
Finance/Public Works Convo, 2023
CSMFO Annual Conference
• Revenue Recovery: From Riches to
Rags, and Back to Riches? 2022
CSMFO Annual Conference
• Show Me More Money: Optimizing
Revenues in a Post-COVID World.
2022 CSMFO Annual Conference
• Park & Rec Fiscal Toolbox. 2021
CARPD Annual Conference
• A Revenue Cornucopia: A Multi-
Faceted Approach to Funding.
2021 CSMFO Annual Conference
BIOGRAPHY
Sara Mares is a Chief Operating Officer with NBS. She forms Special
Financing Districts (SFDs), including Community Facilities Districts,
Property and Business Improvement Districts, 1913 Act Assessment
Districts, Landscape and Lighting Districts, Benefit Assessment
Districts and Fire Assessments. Sara has experience working with all
aspects of the formation process, including planning and feasibility,
project management, budget analysis, development of Rate and
Method of Apportionment and Engineer’s Reports and
presentations. She also has significant experience with ongoing SFD
administration including levy submittal, delinquency management
and continuing disclosure.
RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
TEAM RESUME
SARA MARES | Chief Operating Officer
• City of Patterson CFD Formation.
Formation of services CFD with
Future Annexation Area,
Subsequent Annexations. CFD
funds maintenance and operation
of streetlights, landscaping storm
drainage, etc., for residential
property in the City. Formation
completed in 2018, subsequent
annexations through 2020.
• City of Lincoln CFD 2019-1
(Independence). Formation of
facilities CFD that transitions to a
services CFD. CFD finances
transportation, water system ,
recycled water system, drainage,
wastewater, and park
improvements and will transition
to fund park maintenance and
capital replacement. Formation
completed in 2019.
• Other Projects. Desert
Recreation District, City of
Alameda, City of Elk Grove, City of
Hesperia, City of Vacaville, City of
Carson, East Bay Regional Park
District
• Altadena Library District CFD
Formation. In 2020, the need for
significant updates to aging
facilities led the District to engage
NBS to form a CFD to finance
those infrastructure needs.
Additionally, with the existing
parcel tax sunset on the horizon,
NBS worked with the District to
include a services special tax
component of the CFD that would
replace those services revenues
and provide for a perpetual,
stable funding source into the
future. The CFD has been formed
and was approved by registered
voters in the District.
• City of Rio Vista CFD Formation,
Complex Workout including
refinancing existing CFD debt,
formation of a new CFD to
restructure a portion of the
existing CFD debt and funding of
additional services. CFD
Formation and Bond Issuance
completed in 2018.
“Thank you so much for all of your guidance, advice and support this year. We definitely
wouldn't have been able to accomplish this amazing feat without your experience and
knowledge!!” Nikki Winslow, Library District Director, Altadena Library District
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 20
EDUCATION
• Bachelor of Arts/Business
Economics, University of Nevada,
Las Vegas
HIGHLIGHTS
• Registered Municipal Advisor
Representative
• Seasoned public agency revenue
consultant with a focus in Special
Financing Districts (SFDs)
• Extensive background in project
management support to state
and local government in the areas
of tax and assessment related
levies, fund accounting, budget
administration
• More than 20 years of local
government and finance
experience
AFFILIATIONS / AWARDS
• Camarillo Health Care District
Advisory Panel: Member
• Camarillo Kiwanis Club: Member
• Pacific Coast Business Times “Top
50 Women in Business” Recipient
2016; “Top Women in Business”
Recipient 2013; “Top Leaders in
Community Leadership” 2010;
and “40 Under 40” Recipient
2008
• President’s Council on Service
and Civic Participation “The
President’s Volunteer Service
Award” Recipient 2008
BIOGRAPHY
Sandra Burkhart is a Senior Consultant at NBS where she forms and
administers various types of Special Financing Districts (SFDs), both
bonded and non-bonded, including 1911 and 1913 Act Assessment
Districts, Landscape and Lighting Districts, Benefit Assessment
Districts and Property and Business Improvement Districts. She is
actively involved with district formations, bond issuance analysis,
and the daily management of district administration services.
RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Sandra has consulted and served on many projects, including the
following:
TEAM RESUME
SANDRA BURKHART | Senior Consultant
• City of Fairfield District Fund
Balance Review and Budget
Audit. Performed a fund balance
review and budget audit of the
City’s 19 Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance Assessment Districts
and associated Annexations. The
project also included a district
boundary audit and a final
findings report with
recommended corrective actions.
• County of Imperial Assessment
District Formation. NBS is
currently assisting with the
formation of a new Assessment
District to fund maintenance,
operation and servicing of water,
sewer, street lighting and
common are improvements. NBS
prepared and mailed ballots to
property owners and will be
assisting with the Public Hearing
and Ballot Tabulation.
• City of Palmdale LMD
Assessment District Formations.
Prior to transitioning Community
Facility Districts, assisted the City
with ongoing Landscape and
Lighting District Formations as
new development came online.
NBS assisted with the legislative
process, preparation and mailing
of ballots to property owners and
the final Public Hearing and Ballot
Tabulation.
• City of Pomona LLAD Assessment
District Formation. Formation of
replacement LLAD. LLAD funds
maintenance and operation of
streetlights, trees, landscaping,
open space, etc.
• City of Tulare PBID. NBS is
currently assisting with the
formation of a new Property and
Business Improvement District to
fund the costs of marketing and
special events, “Clean and Safe
Program,” Economic
Development, Homelessness
Services, and maintenance
services within the proposed PBID
area. NBS will be preparing the
Management District Plan,
Engineer’s Report, Assessment
Ballots and Tabulation.
• City of Sierra Madre Assessment
District Formation. The City’s
downtown area had multiple
assessments in place to fund a
variety of services. NBS was
engaged to form a new Landscape
and Lighting Assessment District
that would consolidate the
services under one funding tool,
expand the services and create a
more inclusive Downtown LLD.
NBS provided detailed general
and special benefit analysis and
assessment engineering services
for the new District, including
developing a new Engineer’s
Report, along with mailed notices
and ballots.
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 21
TEAM RESUME
NICK DAYHOFF | Senior Consultant
EDUCATION
• Bachelor of Arts, Finance,
California State University, San
Diego
HIGHLIGHTS
• Registered Municipal Advisor
Representative
• 18 years with NBS
• Expert Special Tax Consultant
• Proposition 218 Compliance and
Notification
• Seasoned Professional in
Assessment District Formation
and Administrations
• Expert in Initial and Continuing
Disclosure
BIOGRAPHY
Nick Dayhoff is a Senior Consultant with NBS where he forms and
administers Special Financing Districts (SFDs). He is actively involved
with a broad range of new district formations, bond issuance/
refunding analysis, and feasibility studies.
RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
• East Bay Regional Park District, CFD No.
AC-3: Formation of CFD, subject to voter
approval on November 6, 2018. CFD
funds maintenance of parks, trails, open
space, public safety services, recreation
and open space program services, flood
and storm protection services, etc.
Formation completed in 2018.
• City of Manteca: NBS assisted with the
formation of a Community Facilities
District, CFD No. 2023-1 (Villa Ticino
West Facilities), to fund the costs of
various public facilities, including
roadway and transportation
improvements, water system and
irrigation improvements, recycled water
system improvements, drainage system
improvements, wastewater system
improvements, environmental
mitigation, and park, trails, landscaping
and open space improvements. NBS also
provided bond issuance disclosure
services relating to the debt issued on
behalf of the CFD, including value-to-lien
information, estimates of special tax
revenue, and sample tax bills, etc.
• City of Carson: Community Facilities
District, CFD No. 2018-01 is used to fund
the calculated negative fiscal impacts of
new development. On an ongoing basis,
NBS assists the City with the annexation
of property to the CFD by preparing all
the documentation, including the
Unanimous Approval Forms, Boundary
Maps, Resolutions & Ordinance, and
Amendment to the Notice of Special Tax
Lien. The CFD and annexations ensure
that the projects are funding the
increased public services necessitated by
additional development within the City.
• Cosumnes Community Services
District: NBS assisted with the
formation of a Community
Facilities District, CFD No. 2021-1
(Sheldon Farms North), to fund fire
protection, park maintenance, and
landscaping services for the
Sheldon Farms North residential
development project. The CFD
ensures that the project funds the
increased public services
necessitated by additional
development within the
Community Services District.
• City of Sacramento: NBS assisted
with the formation of a Community
Facilities District, CFD No. 2019-1
(Delta Shores, consisting of
multiple Improvement Areas), to
fund the costs of various public
facilities, including roadway and
transportation improvements,
water system and irrigation
improvements, storm drainage
system improvements, wastewater
system improvements, and a fire
station. NBS also provided bond
issuance disclosure services
relating to the debt issued on
behalf of the CFD, including value-
to-lien information, estimates of
special tax revenue, and sample
tax bills, etc.
“Thank you all for
your help on this
project, you made it
easy for me and our
staff!”
Brad Wungluck, Deputy
Director of Development
Services, City of Manteca
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 22
TEAM RESUME
GREG GHIRONZI | Senior Consultant
BIOGRAPHY
Greg Ghironzi is a Senior Consultant with NBS in our District Formation
Consulting group, with more than 30 years of experience in public
finance.
Greg has worked with every type of local agency including cities,
counties, and a broad range of special districts. His diverse experience
includes financing or funding of facilities and services such as fire
protection, library, healthcare, conservation, cemetery, groundwater
(management & sustainability), utility (water, wastewater, sanitary &
sanitation, irrigation, and reclamation), pest abatement, school,
transit, flood control, recreation & parks.
Greg assists clients with analysis and selection of appropriate financing
tools where several options are legally feasible. He has also performed
financial analyses for water and wastewater utility cost of service and
rate design analysis.
In combination with his utility experience, he is an acknowledged
expert in the Proposition 218 compliant formation and annexation of
land-based Special Financing Districts (SFDs) to finance capital projects
and fund ongoing maintenance and services.
RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
HIGHLIGHTS
• Registered Municipal Advisor
Representative
• More than 30 years of experience
• Proposition 218 expertise
• Special Financing District (SFD)
solutions including special
assessments, special taxes, and
property related fees
• Compliance audits of SFDs
• Development Impact Fee and
Capacity Charge analysis
• Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act expertise
including Groundwater
Sustainability Agency (GSA)
Formation and Funding
• Reimbursement and Acquisition
of public facilities
• Stormwater and Flood Control
funding
• Property and Parcel Tax audits
• Debt related Initial and
Continuing Disclosure
“In the world of
government
financing, there is no
better partner for us
than NBS. They
prepare you for the
coming challenges
and are always one
step ahead.”
Dean Wetter, Valley-Wide
Recreation and Park District
• Town of Mammoth Lakes –
Financial Modeling and Planning:
Developed long-range (20 year)
model including analysis of
historical costs, projection of
future costs together with
calculations of the maximum
revenue generation for multiple
types of special districts. Cost
estimates included fund balance
accumulations, maintenance
costs, capital improvements, and
agency contributions.
• City of Indio – Overlapping Debt
and Special Tax Pro-Forma
Modeling and Analysis: Modeled
the taxing capacity and potential
revenue generation required to
fund capital infrastructure
improvements. Project included
development of residential
property sales prices,
identification and analysis of
overlapping debt/tax obligations
to determine an appropriate level
of bonded indebtedness.
• .
• City of San Pablo – Citywide
Funding Analysis: Evaluated the
City’s revenues and expenses and
developed options for long-range
funding solutions to address the
identified structural revenue
deficits. Modeled various funding
options informed by constituents’
priorities and levels of support.
Multiple revenue mechanisms
(taxes, assessments, and fees)
were evaluated with
recommendations for the most
viable options.
Greg has formed 250+ SFDs
consisting of:
• 1913/1915 Act Assessment
Districts
• Landscape Maintenance Districts
• Mello-Roos Community Facilities
Districts (CFDs)
• Benefit Assessment Districts
• Business Improvement Districts
• Special Tax / Parcel Tax Districts
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 23
APPENDIX B | ADDENDUM
Statement of Qualifications for City of La Quinta NBS | 24
March 5, 2025