Title
Chief Administrative Office, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board:
1) Consider a Funding Agreement in the amount of $21,000 to provide a contribution to the Tahoe Prosperity Center to promote regional sustainability through economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and healthy communities in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin; and
2) If approved, authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to execute and administer the Agreement on behalf of the County.
FUNDING: General Fund - Transient Occupancy Tax.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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$21,000 |
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Budget - Current FY
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$21,000 |
Budget - Future FY
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New Funding
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Savings
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
No Change to Net County Cost. Funding is available in the FY 2014-15 Adopted Budget for Economic Development.
Background
The Tahoe Prosperity Center (TPC) was created as the singular recommendation of the 2010 Lake Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan. TPC is a non-profit group made up of an all-volunteer board, comprised of key leaders from the Basin's six jurisdictions, two Chambers of Commerce, the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), as well as from business, science, health, education and non-profit organizations which has led the organization since its inception in 2010. El Dorado County previously provided $20,000 in funding to the Western Nevada Development District for development of the 2010 Lake Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan and approved a contribution of $5,000 in 2011 for "bridge funding" the support the establishment of the TPC.
TPC communicated their interest in continuing to partner with El Dorado County and there is some indication that the prior administration supported the requested funding agreement prior to the current County budget shortfall.
Reason for Recommendation
TPC operates as a regional collaborative with an inclusive governance structure. TPC is the only entity within the Basin with broad stakeholder representation focused on economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. Funding from the County will go toward projects and programs:
Connected Tahoe Project - $5,000
TPC is currently conducting a basin-wide survey and speed test data gathering effort on the current levels of Internet speed and cell phone coverage. This data will allow TCP to identify un-served areas and under-served areas in the community in order to develop grant proposals to Internet service providers to install high speed Internet in areas where it currently does not exist or is underserved. In addition, TCP will identify the areas where cell phone service is minimal or non-existent and include that in the data gathering and reporting. Over $40,000 in other public contributions and grant funds are dedicated to this program. Data is being used to determine current Internet speeds around the lake. Grant proposals will be developed by the Internet service providers interested in improving Internet speeds in the un-served and under-served areas. Funding is available through the CA Public Utilities Commission.
Economic Indicators Report and the Land-Use Commodities Program - $10,000
TPC is updating the 2010 Prosperity Plan and gathering specific economic indicator data and targets focused on the Tahoe Basin. The plan for this effort is to determine not only what economic indicators should be tracked in order to measure progress toward economic vitality goals, but also to regularly update this information so it is useful for future potential investors in the region. Data will be made available online and in a written report.
In addition, TPC recently completed the Commodities Action Plan as the neutral convener and facilitator of a multi-jurisdictional stakeholder group on land-use commodities issues. TPC will continue to facilitate the planning efforts between governmental jurisdictions, environmental organizations and businesses regarding improvements that can be made to this issue.
Community Revitalization Program - $6,000
TPC is working toward reducing barriers to land-use improvements to positive redevelopment of blighted and dated properties. Current draft proposals in the Commodities Action Plan include a variety of potential development code changes, public outreach and education, memorandums of understandings between jurisdictions, and a commodities bank to bring about more transparency in the market and to facilitate improvements for redevelopment that takes out dilapidated development.
The total contribution of $21,000 will provide funding to the Tahoe Prosperity Center to support economic prosperity and environmental sustainability in the Tahoe basin.
Contact
Chief Administrative Office, Economic Development Division
530-621-5595
Concurrences
County Counsel and Risk Management