Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Adopt Policy B-6, titled "Community Funding," to establish guidelines for Community Funding contributions, which are one-time contributions of discretionary funds to a non-profit organization, public organization, or community organization (informal non-profit) for an event or effort that will benefit the residents of El Dorado County and, if needed, provide direction to staff on this process; and
2) Receive and file the updated Community Funding Request application that includes the California Levine Act Statement per California Government Code §84308.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
During the Budget discussions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18, $50,000 was allocated for Community Funding Requests, based on Board direction, and has been allocated each year since. This amount was reduced to $30,000 with the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget and then increased to $75,000 in FY 2022-23, based on Board direction. In FY 2023-24, there is $75,000 in appropriations for Community Funding Requests. During the FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget Hearing, the Board directed staff to return with process improvements for the Community Funding Requests.
On August 15, 2023 (Legistar item 23-1468), the Board approved process improvements for Community Funding Requests and directed staff to return within 90 days with a Community Funding Policy for Board consideration. Staff have developed Policy B-6: Community Funding for Board approval. Details of the Policy are outlined below:
a. Annually through the budget development process, the Board of Supervisors may approve a fixed annual amount for Community Funding requests. The approved funding shall be allocated evenly across the five Supervisorial Districts for each District to nominate uses of the funding.
b. Each District Supervisor has the authority to determine the dollar amount for each Community Funding request, as long as it does not exceed the annual limit for each Supervisorial District. If a joint Community Funding request is made by multiple Supervisors, the allocation will be split between the Supervisorial Districts.
c. Any Supervisor may propose an allocation of Community Funding at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Supervisors. A simple majority is required for approval.
d. The Board must find that a public benefit is derived from supporting the effort or event. The California Constitution Article XVI, Section 6 prohibits the giving or lending of public funds unless the funds are being used for a public purpose with a public benefit.
e. Once approved by the Board, the Chief Administrative Office will process an agreement for the contribution, process payment, and ensure compliance with the agreement.
f. Any funds not allocated during the fiscal year will not roll over into the next fiscal year.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may direct amendments to the proposed policy or opt not to adopt the policy.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Department Heads, County Counsel.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Board of Supervisors allocated $75,000 in the FY 2023-24 Budget in General Fund - Other Operations (Department 15) to be available for community funding requests as allocated by the Board. There is no additional impact to the General Fund due to the approval of this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
The Clerk will post the adopted policy in the Board of Supervisors Policy Manual.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Emma Owens, Principal Management Analyst