January 13, 2026
Agenda Item No. 13
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Melissa Hartson, Library Services Director - 949-717-3801, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager - 949-717-3819, [email protected] TITLE:
Budget Amendment to Accept a Check from the California Library Literacy Services and Appropriate the Funds to the Library’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget ABSTRACT:
The Newport Beach Public Library’s (NBPL) Project Adult Literacy program is funded by the City of Newport Beach General Fund, grants, donations and the fundraising efforts of the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation. One of the major funding sources is through the California Library Literacy Services’ annual grant program. Staff requests approval of a budget amendment to accept a check from California Library Literacy Services to support the NBPL’s Project Adult Literacy program.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Accept a check in the amount of $41,935 from the California Library Literacy Services and approve Budget Amendment No.26-040 to increase expenditure by the same amount in the Literacy accounts.
DISCUSSION:
The Project Adult Literacy (PAL) program has offered one-on-one tutoring and small group classes to patrons with low literacy skills for nearly 40 years. These services currently support over 70 learners and make a significant difference in the lives of the participants, both learners and volunteers. One of the goals of the program is to assist the participants in becoming more engaged citizens and active members of the community.
The grant funds will be used towards staffing to ensure that the high-quality program that the community has come to expect continues.
The Fiscal Year 2025-26 City contribution for PAL is $120,930. Program expenses are augmented by the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) grant program and through private donations and other grants. The CLLS grant funds to literacy programs annually based on an application submitted in August.
There are three parts to the program’s funding formula:
Each approved California literacy program receives a base grant amount of $25,000; A per capita amount per adult learner served; and
Additional funding based on local funds raised and expended for adult literacy services.
As a result, PAL received a total award of $41,935. Ninety percent of the award, $37,742, is given upfront in November. The remaining 10 percent is eligible for distribution after PAL has completed mid-year reporting to CLLS and spent 75 percent of the total award.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The budget amendment appropriates $41,935 in additional revenue from CLLS and $41,935 in increased expenditure appropriations with no impact on fund balance. The revenue will be posted to the California Literacy Campaign account in the Library Services Department, 01060005-431070 and the purchases will be expensed to the following Library PAL accounts:
Salaries P/T 01060604-711003 $37,036.99
Retirement Part-Time/Temp 01060604-723004 $4,289.95 Medicare 01060604-727016 $608.06 TOTAL $41,935.00
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – Budget Amendment
Budget Amendment to Accept a Check from the California Library Literacy Services and Appropriate the Funds to the Library’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget January 13, 2026
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