Despite a mostly smooth run in this year’s budget hearings, held June 17, the supervisors again got held up on how to allocate money to community-based organizations.
In past years when the budget was tight, the board of supervisors agreed to allot 6 percent of sales and use tax collected by the county to community-based organizations. When supervisors reviewed the recommended budget in May, the estimate for the allocation was $67,000 to be used for Jovenes de Antano ($35,706), Advocacy, Inc. ($5,000), Senior Citizens Legal Services ($3,428) and Seniors Council ($23,437.)
When the budget was brought forward on June 17, an updated estimated of projected sales and use tax was higher than the original figure, bring the amount available for CBOs to $78,000.
“We met with the representatives of the Community Food Bank and I want to consider this as a one-time contribution for this year as we all know last year the community block grant that supported the food bank did not go forward so that reflects a hardship on that organization,” Supervisor Anthony Botelho said.
Supervisor Margie Barrios said she agreed the difference between the amount originally recommended and what is available should go to the Community Food Bank, with interim County Administrative Officer Ray Espinosa suggesting the board could take an additional $5,000 out of contingency to support the agency.
“These are all worthwhile agencies that serve the community well,” said Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz. “We should really stick to the 6 percent. I can name a large number that are asking for funding. We have to be persistent and stick with that 6 percent. We make the tough decisions. That’s why they elected us.”
He suggested offering funding to the Community Food Bank would set up a “slippery slope,” but Botelho argued food is a basic need that the supervisors need to help out with for the fiscal year.
“As long as we get a clear understanding that we get to pick and choose,” De La Cruz said.
Supervisor Jerry Muenzer asked how the four agencies that are funding – all related to senior citizen services – were selected as the agencies to receive contributions each year.
Management analyst Catharine Shaw said three years ago the supervisors agreed to the 6 percent formula and at the time they set up a list of criteria for what agencies would be eligible. While she didn’t have the list of criteria, she said one of the major factors was whether the groups would lose funding without the county match and if they had been funded by the county in the past.
“I hate to be a Debbie Downer and I am a lot when I’m up here, but the problem I have with this whole system is it lacks flexibility,” said Supervisor Robert Rivas. “Last year I met with the (Hollister) Youth Alliance and they lost some funding. But we don’t have the flexibility to offer it to just anyone because of the criteria that is established.”
Espinosa said his staff could look into changing the way in which community-based organizations are selected for allocations in coming years.
Representatives from each of the agencies spoke during the public comment period, with most arguing why they should be funded.
“AAA of San Benito and Santa Cruz is operated by a nonprofit,” said Clay Kempf, the executive director of the Seniors Council. “In most counties it is a county department.”
He said for the match they receive from the county, they are able to bring in federal and state dollars while offering services at a cost much cheaper than in other counties.
“The hit to these programs has already been huge,” he said. “It is important to understand the background as to why you are funding this and not other agencies. A year ago all our programs took a hit based on the 6 percent. We said we would share our portion of the loss as long as we were remembered and not forgotten when things looked up.”
Community Food Bank Board Member Susan Thompson spoke on behalf of the Community Food Bank.
“The appeal this year is not to diminish what is being done by AAA programs – they bring a significant amount to the needy,” Thompson said. “The food bank does serve 478 seniors a week with home deliveries of a 15-pound bag of groceries.”
Thompson said the Food Bank needs an additional $25,000 to finish out the year’s services and are optimistic they will qualify for a community development block grant in the coming funding cycle.
Supervisors voted unanimously to give $10,800 to the Community Food Bank, but were divided on Barrios’ motion that they consider giving any additional unexpected revenues to the food bank.
“I cannot support that,” De La Cruz said, voting nay on the motion with Rivas.
“Our contingency fund is for an emergency – when people don’t have food, that is an emergency,” Barrios said.
