CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 8, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Maritza Sosa-Nieves, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 OPERATING BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING $58,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND ESTABLISHING THE COMPASSION FUND RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following Resolution (Attachment No. 1):
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-109 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 OPERATING BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING $58,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND ESTABLISHING THE COMPASSION FUND Allow for the transfer in the amount of $62,000 from the Mayor & Council’s Discretionary General Fund accounts to the Compassion Fund; and Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute all required Funding Agreements and/or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to facilitate the Compassion Fund program with the awarding agencies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On August 4, 2025, the City Council gave direction to staff to establish and provide City funding for a Compassion Fund to assist the city’s immigrant community and businesses that have been impacted by the recent Federal enforcement activities. Approval of this resolution will appropriate the necessary funding from the General Fund reserves, along with a transfer from the General Fund to establish the Compassion Fund.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
To establish the Compassion Fund, not a City-Operating fund, but a placeholder to house the General Fund appropriations that will be transferred to the awarding agencies he Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budget will be amended by appropriating $58,000 from the General Fund Reserves (101-1302-52115-000000) and transferring $62,000 from the Mayor & Council’s Discretionary General Fund accounts (101-1302-52101to52107-00000) to the Compassion Fund. Together, these contributions will provide a total of $120,000 for the Compassion Fund.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On August 4, 2025, the City Council discussed the creation of a Compassion Fund to be administered by a qualified provider(s). The Council agreed to seed the Compassion Fund with $120,000 and directed staff to return with a general fund appropriation and a Mayor & Council for their consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council continues to support Pomona’s diverse community, including immigrants and local businesses, by both word and action. In response to recent Federal activities, the Mayor and Council have expressed interest in establishing a Compassion Fund to provide financial assistance to those in need.
Staff has reviewed similar programs implemented by other cities and organizations. While most rely on private donations, at least one city initiated its program with surplus General Fund dollars. In all cases, the programs are managed in partnership with nonprofit organizations that administer and distribute the funds. Typical areas of support include food, essential supplies, health and mental health services, and legal resources. Pomona’s Compassion Fund would be designed to provide comparable forms of assistance, with specific eligibility criteria to be defined through Funding Agreements.
Establishing the Compassion Fund will require an appropriation of $58,000 from the General Fund Reserves and a contribution in the amount of $62,000 from the Mayor and Council’s Discretionary General Fund accounts. Awarding agencies will administer the Compassion Fund, as directed by the City. The Compassion Fund will be established under the policy direction of the City Council and overseen by the City Manager, who will define the procedures for distribution, auditing, and reporting The establishment of the Compassion Fund is funded through the City’s General Fund and is considered a discretionary expenditure. The City Council has the authority to allocate General Fund dollars toward any initiative that serves a public purpose. This action seeks to prioritize critical support for vulnerable residents and businesses during a period of heightened uncertainty and financial distress, reaffirming the City’s commitment to the well-being of all members of the Pomona community.
Prepared by:
Maritza Sosa-Nieves, Assistant to the City Manager
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2025-109
Adopt Resolution to Appropriate $58,000 from General Fund Reserves and Establish the Compassion Fund