Joint Special Council/BFPD
05/6/25 06:00 PM
City Manager Department
Christopher Heldreth
Policy
Doc ID: 5966
AGENDA ITEM
AGENDA MATTER:
ADOPT CITY COUNCIL POLICY MEMORANDUM #2025-___, CANNABIS COMMUNITY BENEFIT
PROGRAM POLICY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This policy establishes guidelines for the manner in which Community Benefit Program funds are expended to fund city projects, city-sponsored community events, and repairs, maintenance, and/or upgrades to equipment or structures that were purchased using Community Benefit Program funds.
Community Benefit Program funds are received annually by cannabis business operators .
DISCUSSION:
The Cannabis Community Benefit Program Policy (Attachment A) recently completed the review process by the Rules and Policy Committee and was directed to be brought forth before the City Council for review and consideration. Approval of the Community Benefit Program Policy would establish eligible uses and provides guidance as to the process by which the City can appropriate usage of Community Benefit Funds.
The Cannabis Community Benefit Program is funded through the Development Agreement that was approved by the City Council for each cannabis business operator. Currently, Community Benefit Program funds are paid by two (2) cannabis retailers and seven (7) cannabis manufacturers/cultivators.
The City estimates receiving an estimated $320K each year. As per the proposed policy, Community Benefit Program funds can be utilized to fund city project, city-sponsored community events, repairs, maintenance and/or upgrades to equipment and structures that are purchased or constructed using Community Benefit Program funds, or other expenditures that are recommended by the City Manager and approved by the City Council. The Rules & Policy Committee recommended bringing this policy before the City Council to determine the percentages which will be allocated to the three (3) categories:
City Project, City-Sponsored Events, and Repairs, Maintenance, and/or Upgrades. Examples of these percentages are included for reference by the City Council (Attachment B).
The Cannabis Community Benefit Program Policy will define eligible expenditures of Program funds, creates a Community Benefit Committee, establishes the appointment process for committee members, and identifies the process and timeline as to how the Community Benefit Committee will propose eligible Community Benefit funded expenses to the City Council for consideration and approval. Each budget cycle, the City Council may approve expenditures up to the amount that was collected in the prior fiscal year. Additionally, unappropriated funds, or funds collected in prior fiscal years or those which remain unspent, may be considered by the City Council for appropriation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. Expenditures related to the Cannabis Community Benefit Program will never exceed the total amount of funds collected in previous fiscal year(s).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Joint Special Council/BFPD
05/6/25 06:00 PM
City Manager Department
Christopher Heldreth
Policy
Doc ID: 5966
AGENDA ITEM
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Provide the percentages to which Cannabis Community Benefit Program funds can be allocated to City Projects, City-Sponsored Events, and Repairs, Maintenance and/or Upgrades.
2. Adopt City Council Policy Memorandum #2025-______, Cannabis Community Benefit Program Policy, with the inclusion of the suggested percentages agreed upon by the City Council, as per the aforementioned recommended action.