County of El Dorado - File #: 25-1849

• File #: 25-1849
• Version: 1
• Type: Agenda Item
• Status: Agenda Item
• File created: 10/28/2025
• In control: Veterans Affairs Commission
• On agenda: 11/13/2025
• Title: Veterans Affairs Transient Occupancy Tax Committee (VA TOT) will present their recommendations for utilizing the fund balance at El Dorado Community Foundation. The Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) will vote on the VA TOT Committee recommendations. Commissioner Mullens-Becker thanked the Georgetown VFW for hosting the VAC meeting and for providing lunch. Mullens-Becker reported the TOT Committee met earlier that day and discussed some options for utilizing the El Dorado Community Foundation (EDCF) funds. Mullens-Becker and Commissioner Reynolds met with Amy Pooley, Executive Director from EDCF, a few weeks prior to review scenario options to spend down the balance other than the Annual Mini-Grants awards. One idea brought forward previously was a one-time donation of $75,000 to the El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program, and the question was asked how this could be done to help other organizations. Pooley suggested a one-time emergency-type language that the VA TOT Committee cou...

Title

Veterans Affairs Transient Occupancy Tax Committee (VA TOT)  will present their recommendations for utilizing the fund balance at El Dorado Community Foundation. The Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) will vote on the VA TOT Committee recommendations.

Commissioner Mullens-Becker thanked the Georgetown VFW for hosting the VAC meeting and for providing lunch. Mullens-Becker reported the TOT Committee met earlier that day and discussed some options for utilizing the El Dorado Community Foundation (EDCF) funds. Mullens-Becker and Commissioner Reynolds met with Amy Pooley, Executive Director from EDCF, a few weeks prior to review scenario options to spend down the balance other than the Annual Mini-Grants awards. One idea brought forward previously was a one-time donation of $75,000 to the El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program, and the question was asked how this could be done to help other organizations. Pooley suggested a one-time emergency-type language that the VA TOT Committee could add to the draft contract with EDCF. The suggested language is: "Funds will be used to provide grants to local veteran service offices or non-profit veteran service organizations in support of their missions. Applications for funding shall be evaluated by the Veterans Affairs Commission. In addition to supporting ongoing programmatic activities, a portion of these funds may be awarded as one-time donations to veteran service programs that are addressing urgent or emergency needs of the most vulnerable veteran families. These one-time donations shall be used to fill critical service gaps, provide emergency assistance (such as housing stability, food security, transportation, or medical needs), and ensure timely support to veterans and their families in crisis. The Veterans Affairs Commission shall review and approve such allocations to ensure they align with the intent and priorities of the Veterans Mini-Grant Program". Mullens-Becker asked about the timeline for approval of a one-time donation since the Annual Mini-Grant cycle can take up to three months from applying for the grant to receiving approval. The timeline would need to be shortened to help organizations in emergency need. Mullens-Becker reported that organizations would be able to apply for a one-time emergency donation, not just veteran organizations; individuals are not able to apply for funds. The criteria would need to be reviewed for organizations that apply for the one-time donation, including the turnaround time from applying to being awarded the emergency funds. Mullens-Becker requested the VAC to vote on having the language added to the contract with EDCF for possible future use.