To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Board of Supervisors
Staff Name and Phone Number: Supervisor Chris Coursey, 707-565-2241
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Third
Title:
Title
Disbursement of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Third District Community Investment Fund Grant Awards
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve Community Investment Fund grant awards and authorize the County Executive, or designee, to execute grant agreements with the following entities for grants for FY 2025-26: EFZM Engage, $1,500; Community Support Network, $2,500; The LIME Foundation, $1,000; The Lost Church, $2,000; LandPaths, $1,500; On Campus Ministries, $500; Rancho Cotate High School MEChA & Latino Student Union (fiscal agent: Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District), $1,500; Sonoma Family Meal, $1,500; and YWCA Sonoma County, $1,500. (Third District)
end
Executive Summary:
The Board established the Local Events, Organizations, and District Priorities category to fund local events that will support businesses, enhance culture, and organizations that provide a benefit to the community, or to award funding to County Departments to fulfill Supervisorial District priorities. Events and organizations may make requests throughout the year to one or more Supervisorial Districts.
The Third District has reviewed the applications and wishes to recommend the following FY 2025-26 grant awards:
1. EFZM Engage to support the 2025 16th Vince Harper's South Park Day & Night Festival; grant award of $1,500;
2. Community Support Network for gift cards for attendees of the 3rd Annual Unsheltered Job and Resource Fair in Sonoma County; grant award of $2,500;
3. The LIME Foundation to support the Believe in the Dream 10th Anniversary - Legacy Gala; grant award of $1,000;
4. The Lost Church to support the 10th Annual Railroad Square Music Festival; grant award of $2,000;
5. LandPaths to support the Harvest Festival/Festival de la Cosecha; grant award of $1,500;
6. On Campus Ministries to support the Annual Gala for the Sozo Student Center in Rohnert Park; grant award of $500;
7. Rancho Cotate High School MEChA & Latino Student Union (fiscal agent: Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District) to support the 3rd Annual Fiesta Latina; grant award of $1,500;
8. Sonoma Family Meal to support the Knife's Edge - Connected by Cuisine - Annual Gala; grant award of $1,500; and
9. YWCA Sonoma County to support YWCA's After Hours event; grant award of $1,500
Activities performed utilizing Community Investment Program funds provide public benefits that serve important community needs under Government Code Section 26227.
Discussion:
Transient Occupancy Tax Funding
The Sonoma County Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) was established in 1965 and is currently levied at a rate of 12% in unincorporated Sonoma County, a rate established in 2016 by the voter-approved Measure L. The first 9% of the TOT rate is allocated 33% to the General Fund and 67% to the Community Investment Fund; and the last 3% is allocated to the Measure L Fund.
Community Investment Fund Program and Policy
The Community Investment Fund Program, established in 1986 as the Advertising and Promotions Program, allocates a portion of the Transient Occupancy Tax to encourage economic development, community engagement, and culture in the County through a variety of grant award and funding avenues. The program provides grants to community-based organizations for a wide range of activities including economic development, community and countywide events, and advertising and promoting the county as a visitor destination with the goal of advancing economic growth through tourism. Additionally, the program provides grants to address impacts on safety due to tourism and to enhance community services throughout the county. The program provides funding to the Regional Parks Department, the Economic Development Collaborative, and several additional county activities. Community Investment Funds are allocated per the Community Investment Fund Policy (Policy) (https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/county-administrators-office/community-investment-fund-program/community-investment-program-policy).
The current Policy allocates funding in the following categories: Economic Development, Community Grants and District Priorities, and Community Services. Within the Community Grants and District Priorities category, funding is set aside for Chambers of Commerce (membership matching grants) as well as for Local Events, Organizations, and District Priorities.
Local Events, Organizations, and District Priorities Category
The Board established the Local Events, Organizations, and District Priorities category to fund local events and programs that will support businesses, culture, and organizations that provide a benefit to the community, or to award funding to County Departments to fulfill Supervisorial District priorities. Funding for these events and organizations is provided at the discretion of each Supervisorial District, with an allocation of $100,000 for each district. Events and organizations may make requests throughout the year to one or more Supervisorial Districts.
Funds will be distributed upon approval of these awards by the Board of Supervisors and execution of the Community Investment Fund grant agreement by the entity. The agreements will be executed by the County Executive, or designee. The agreements require the County seal on promotional materials produced using the grant award.
Activities performed utilizing Community Investment Program grants provide public benefits that serve important community needs under Government Code Section 26227.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None for FY 2025-26
FISCAL SUMMARY
Expenditures
FY25-26 Adopted
FY26-27 Projected
FY27-28 Projected
Budgeted Expenses
$13,500
Additional Appropriation Requested
Total Expenditures
$13,500
Funding Sources
General Fund/WA GF
State/Federal
Fees/Other
$13,500
Use of Fund Balance
General Fund Contingencies
Total Sources
$13,500
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Community Investment Funds are included in the FY 2025-26 budget.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None
Related Items "On File" with the Clerk of the Board:
None