RESOLUTION NO. (N.C.S.)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING ACTION RELATED TO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITIES FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FUND AND A TWO-YEAR SERVICE PROVIDER AGREEMENT WITH UNITED WAY OF MONTEREY COUNTY FOR THE FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER WHEREAS, the City of Salinas recognizes that 14.2% of residents live below the poverty level and with the rising cost of living in an already expensive city in California that it is important to develop as many fiscal supports as possible for our residents; and WHEREAS, the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) initiative provides a national model for delivering free, professional, one-on-one financial counseling services to residents; and WHEREAS, the City of Salinas has participated in the CFE Fund Financial Empowerment Academy since 2024, a 15-month planning and technical assistance program designed to support local governments in evaluating, designing, and preparing for implementation of a Financial Empowerment Center; and WHEREAS, through participation in the Academy, the City received a $20,000 planning grant and technical assistance to support development of an implementation strategy for a Financial Empowerment Center in Salinas; and WHEREAS, following a Request for Proposals process, the City identified United Way of Monterey County (UWMC) as the selected community-based organization to operate the Financial Empowerment Center; and WHEREAS, UWMC will provide financial counseling services under the Financial Empowerment Center model and will coordinate service delivery in partnership with the City and community organizations to expand access to residents; and WHEREAS, the total estimated annual cost for the two-year program is $452,625 for Year 1 and $440,625 for Year 2 for a total of $893,250; and WHEREAS, the City intends to apply for a $150,000 non-competitive implementation grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) to support the two-year program; and WHEREAS, in Year 1, the City intends to leverage $19,562 of administrative In-Kind contributions, $30,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $21,000 of General Funds and $20,000 of CFE Fund Planning grant funding with $262,063 of in-kind contributions from United Way of Monterey County and $100,000 of the CFE Fund Implementation Grant for a total of $452,625 funding; and WHEREAS, in Year 2 the City will contribute $19,562 in administrative in-kind contributions, with $262,063 of in-kind contributions from United Way of Monterey County and the remaining $50,000 of the CFE Fund Implementation Grant, for a total funding amount of $331,625, resulting in a short fall of $109,000; and WHEREAS, to fill the funding gap the City and United Way of Monterey will work collaboratively to secure additional public, philanthropic or private funding to sustain the program; and WHEREAS, as additional funding becomes available, the City may, through written contract funding amendment(s) executed by the City Manager or designee, increase the amount of funds obligated under this Agreement up to the full contract value of $893,250; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that establishing a Financial Empowerment Center will advance the City’s goals related to economic development, financial stability, and improved quality of life for residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Salinas City Council Authorizes the City Manager to execute a two-year service provider agreement with United Way of Monterey County (UWMC) for operation of the Financial Empowerment Center, effective September 1, 2026.
Authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to pursue, accept, and execute all necessary documents, including an Implementation Memorandum of Understanding, with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund for up to $150,000 in implementation match funding.
Authorizes the establishment of expenditure and revenue appropriations for the CFE Fund implementation grant and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to support the Financial Empowerment Center program.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 1st day of September, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
Dennis Donohue, Mayor
ATTEST:
Patricia M. Soratos, City Clerk
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