Item Number: 11
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: March 3, 2026
Submitted By:
Jorge Duran, Code Enforcement Official
Subject:
California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program - Budget Amendment Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-011, approving a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 to appropriate $56,780.00 in both revenue and expenditures related to the Tobacco Grant Program as awarded by the California Department of Justice.
Fiscal Impact:
Adopting Resolution No. 26-011 (Attachment A) will result in additional revenue and expenditures in the amount of $56,780.00. These funds will be allocated as shown below:
Account Amount
2704020-43110-20595 (Revenue – Tobacco Grant Program) $56,780.00 2704020-51100-20595 (Expense – Full Time Wages) $34,962.00 2704020-51110-20595 (Expense – Overtime Wages) $8,741.00 2704020-51200-20595 (Expense – Full Time Fringe Benefits) $5,006.00 2704020-51300-20595 (Expense – Payroll Taxes) $1,352.00 2704020-52110-20595 (Expense – Supplies) $3,796.00
2704020-52140-20595 (Expense – Training / Education) $221.00 2704020-52300-20595 (Expense – Contract Services) $2,702.00
Strategic Plan Goal:
The subject grant supports the City of Victorville Strategic Plan 2023-2026 by advancing the following key goals:
Goal B – Public Safety: This grant provides funding for the City’s required annual inspections of alcohol and tobacco retailers to ensure compliance with State and local laws. These inspections help verify adequate on-site lighting, maintain clear 4 5
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visibility within establishments, and prevent loitering and illegal activities. By strengthening oversight and compliance, the program enhances safety for customers, employees, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Goal C – Community and Economic Development: The grant also supports a proactive Code Compliance approach to confirm adherence to maintenance and site condition standards. As outlined in Ordinance No. 2450 (Attachment B) these requirements are intended to improve the appearance of non-compliant properties and preserve overall community standards. Maintaining attractive and well- regulated commercial areas supports business retention and encourages new investment within the City.
Goal D – Reduce Homelessness: The program further assists the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness by limiting access to illegal tobacco products and drug paraphernalia. Strengthening enforcement helps ensure retailers operate responsibly and become part of the solution in addressing substance abuse and illegal drug use, issues that are not uncommon within the City’s homeless population. Reducing access to these items may also decrease the need for homeless outreach services in the areas surrounding alcohol and tobacco retailers, which are frequently located near one another.
Background:
On May 8, 2024, the Planning Commission recommended City Council Adoption of Ordinance No. 2450, which proposed additional regulations and annual inspections of retail establishments that sell alcohol or tobacco for off-site consumption. Additionally, the Planning Commission recommended that City staff seek grant funding to implement the proposal.
On June 18, 2024, the City Council authorized staff to seek grant funding to support implementation of Ordinance No. 2450, which was later adopted by the City Council on July 17, 2024.
On June 28, 2024, staff applied for the Tobacco Grant Program through the California Department of Justice requesting $126,745.00 to aid in the implementation and enforcement of Ordinance No. 2450.
On October 16, 2024, the Department of Justice informed staff that the grant application was approved in the amount of $111,120.00 to spend over the course of two years. The grant funding awarded allocated $54,340.00 to be expended in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/2025 & $56,780.00 to be expended in FY 2025/2026.
On October 24, 2024, the City submitted a Letter of Intent to accept the Tobacco Grant Program award in the amount of $111,120, noting that final City Council approval would be required to formally accept the grant.
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On November 19, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-100 (Attachment C) formally accepting the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant in the total amount of $111,120 to support the implementation and enforcement of tobacco retailer inspections and education, and Resolution No. 24.101 (Attachment D), amending the FY 2024/2025 Budget to appropriate $54,340.00 of the total grant award.
Discussion:
The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Proposition 56) was enacted to promote a healthier California by reducing illegal retail sales and marketing of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors. The Tobacco Grant Program, established in 2017 and administered by the Office of the Attorney General, provides annual funding to local public agencies throughout the state. These funds support local enforcement efforts aimed at reducing the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth, including site inspections and enforcement against prohibited sales and the marketing of illegal tobacco products and drug paraphernalia. These activities align with the goals and enforcement provisions of Ordinance No. 2450.
The California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program will supplement existing Code Enforcement funding to support ongoing enforcement activities related to Ordinance No. 2450. Grant funds will also support training and educational materials for staff and affected business owners, as well as the purchase of two light meters to verify that retail establishments maintain safe, well-lit exteriors in compliance with the ordinance. Reimbursable activities under the grant commenced on November 1, 2024.
Since grant acceptance and the start of the eligible reimbursement period on November 19, 2024, the Code Compliance Division has actively implemented the program. Staff has conducted over 160 tobacco retailer compliance inspections, including site inspections and light level assessments, to ensure adherence to the operational and site standards established under Ordinance No. 2450. These enforcement efforts have resulted in increased compliance awareness among retailers and have strengthened the City’s ability to identify and address prohibited sales and noncompliant conditions.
Although the grant performance period extends through FY 2025/2026, reimbursement for eligible grant-funded activities will remain available through June 30, 2028.
Accordingly, any unexpended funds may be carried forward into subsequent fiscal years; however, funds must be expended by June 30, 2028, unless a written extension is approved by the California Department of Justice Grant Manager.
Grant funds are provided on a reimbursement basis for actual expenditures in accordance with the Department of Justice’s approved budget. The funding will supplement existing Code Enforcement resources, provide limited Planning Department support for technical assistance, require no local match, and be administered by existing City staff.
Approval of the proposed action will amend the FY 2025/2026 budget to include the remaining previously accepted grant funds, enabling the City to continue and expand its 4 5
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enforcement and education efforts. These activities support the City’s goals of promoting public health and safety, maintaining regulatory compliance among tobacco retailers, and reducing access to illegal tobacco products and drug paraphernalia that negatively impact the community, including vulnerable populations.
Staff recommends that the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-011, approving a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 to appropriate $56,780 in both revenue and expenditures related to the Tobacco Grant Program as awarded by the California Department of Justice.
Staff is available for any questions the City Council may have.
Prepared By: Jorge Duran, Code Enforcement Official
Attachments: Attachment A. Resolution No. 26-011
Attachment B. Ordinance No. 2450
Attachment C. Resolution No. 24-100
Attachment D. Resolution No. 24-101