Paoli, Diana
From: Jacob Patterson < [email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2025 12:16 PM
To: City Clerk
Cc: Whippy, Isaac
Subject: Public Comment -- 6/23/25 CC Mtg., Item No. 8C, One-Time Funding City Council,
I am writing to recommend the following based on my recollections of the presentations from both organizations as well as Isaac's staff report.
First, we should be supporting the Humane Society with more than $50K this coming year so l recommend a one-time additional payment to them of between $25K to $50K to bring our support up to at least $75K. Next budget, I'd like us to see that built in as the baseline annual support rather than a paltry $50K. (Keep in mind they received nothing from the County and we can afford this support, at least this year.)
Second, I recommend awarding the Food Bank, which is probably our most critical public service in the community as it feeds a large percentage of the local population, at least $100K out of this year's surplus. Amanda indicated their funds have already been cut by between $180K and 200K and that led to staff layoffs and program reductions. So many people depend on the Food Bank that even if we needed to take the money from someplace else we should do so (e.g., Visit Fort Bragg or the Noyo Center funding as an important community organization but less important than one that feeds people).
Third, I recommend holding off on awarding any money to the Senior Center today. Unlike the Food Bank whose funding has already been cut, the hypothetical cuts to the Senior center's funding have not happened and the President's proposals were not adopted by Congress. As such, it is premature, IMO, to effectively transfer our cash reserves to another organization, which, although important as well, hasn't actually suffered the funding cuts imposed on the Food Bank. If their funding is actually reduced, we can consider approving the transfer of funds at that time but it seems premature and imprudent to do so right now. Please recall that Jill said she requested the money for a reserve fund in case their funding gets cut but why would we effectively take our reserves and give them away if the organization might not need them? We certainly wouldn't get anything back if their funding is maintained so | recommend waiting until we know what is actually going to happen. It literally only takes 24 hours notice for a special meeting to approve a one-time appropriation out of our accumulated surplus (aka the unallocated general fund balance) should the need arise.
Regards,
--Jacob
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