To: Board of Supervisors, County of Sonoma
Department or Agency Name(s): Board of Supervisors
Staff Name and Phone Number: Supervisor James Gore, (707) 565-2241
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
District 4 Infrastructure Funds - True West Film Center, James Redford Campus Project
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the County Executive or designee to enter into a funding agreement for $250,000 with the True West Film Center, in a form approved by County Counsel, for project support in the construction of the James Redford Campus in Healdsburg CA, between May 6th, 2025, and December 31st, 2027.
B) Make a finding that the proposed expenditures are necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County pursuant to Government Code Section 26227.
C) Adopt a Budget Resolution increasing $250,000 in revenue and expenditure appropriations for fiscal year 2024-2025.
(4/5 Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
This item seeks the Board's authorization to use $250,000 of District 4 infrastructure funds to support the completion of construction of the True West Film Center ‘James Redford campus’ in Healdsburg CA, and for the County administrator to execute a funding agreement in the amount of $250,000 with True West Film Center to receive the funds and complete the project.
During the FY 2023-24 budget hearings, the board set aside $4 million each for districts 1, 2, 4, and 5. Use of $250,000 in District 4 infrastructure funds is requested with this Board Item.
This funding will provide public benefits that serve important community needs as allowed under Government Code Section 26227.
Discussion:
True West Film Center’s James Redford Campus, located at 371 Healdsburg Avenue, upon completion, will be an 8,000-square-foot facility featuring three screening rooms and dedicated education space. True West serves thousands of students throughout Sonoma County with filmmaking instruction and media arts education. True West Film Center (TWFC) requests a $250,000 contribution from District 4, County of Sonoma, to support the completion of the James Redford Campus in downtown Healdsburg. This state-of-the-art film center will be a vital cultural and educational resource, fostering community connection and media literacy at a time when such spaces are critically needed. The James Redford Campus will serve as a place where community members can come together, broaden their perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue through film. Fostering a sense of belonging is critical to community and societal well-being and True West’s mission aligns with this urgent need, offering shared cultural experiences that catalyze empathy and connection.
True West Film Center also bridges a critical gap by ensuring that K-12 public school students across Sonoma County have access to digital media or media arts education. Teaching filmmaking is not just as a skill but is a mode of self-expression, supporting emotional well-being and serving as a tool for social impact. Additionally, True Wests’ Media literacy programs equip youth to discern credible sources and engage in constructive civic discourse. When TWFC opens its new James Redford Campus in Healdsburg, it will offer young people in our community:
- A safe, welcoming after-school space for enrichment, healthy socialization and entertainment.
- Youth-specific memberships and programming supporting belonging and connection.
- Opportunities for field trips, exposing students and their teachers to cross-cultural and cross-generational dialogue.
- Expanded mentorship and internship programs, enabling students to engage with professionals across the creative spectrum.
The James Redford Campus will also be a cultural and economic driver for Sonoma County and the greater North Bay region, as the only film center dedicated to offering first-run films, art house programming, and media education within the four-county region of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. The new Campus is projected to generate $2 million in economic activity within its first year of operation, supporting local businesses and tourism, and is expected to serve 45,000 youth and adults annually within the first three years. True West Film Center is committed to ensuring equitable access to film and media education through comprehensive outreach, free programming, and diverse representation. The new James Redford Campus will provide a Spanish-language film series and ensure accessibility features such as subtitles and ASL interpretation. This infrastructure funding for True West Film Center’s James Redford Campus will support a transformative cultural institution, strengthen community bonds, and seeks to enrich the lives of all Sonoma County residents.
This funding will provide public benefits that serve important community needs as allowed 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:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$250,000 |
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|
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Total Expenditures |
$250,000 |
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|
|
Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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|
|
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State/Federal |
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|
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
$250,000 |
|
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$250,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
During the FY 2023-24 Budget Hearings, the Board set aside $4 million each for Districts 1, 2, 4, and 5. Use of $250,000 in District 4 Infrastructure Funds is requested with this Board Item. There is sufficient fund balance remaining for this activity.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
True West Film Center Funding Agreement
Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A