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Authorize the County’s contribution of $5,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 4 to benefit the following organizations, including the Winters Historical Society ($500), Dixon Historical Society and Museum ($500), Vacaville Museum ($500), Pena Abode Historical Society ($500), Remember-A-Vet ($500), Winters Elder Council ($500), Vacaville People’s Forum ($500), Vacaville High School Music Boosters ($500), Cat Tails Rescue ($500), and Saving Gracie ($500)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Vasquez requests that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County’s contribution of $5,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 4 to benefit the following organizations, including the Winters Historical Society ($500), Dixon Historical Society and Museum ($500), Vacaville Museum ($500), Pena Abode Historical Society ($500), Remember-A-Vet ($500), Winters Elder Council ($500), Vacaville People’s Forum ($500), Vacaville High School Music Boosters ($500), Cat Tails Rescue ($500), and Saving Gracie ($500).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The groups identified by District 4 for its non-county contribution allocation are local non-profits or organizations that enrich Solano County either through educational programs or community support.
Winters Historical Society - $500
The Historical Society of Winters is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of our community, with the goal of fostering a strong sense of place for both residents and visitors. Through engaging exhibits and interactive collaborations, the Society is bringing together residents, merchants, businesses, and civic organizations to celebrate Winters’ unique heritage. These efforts not only showcase the city’s past but also support the promotion of historic downtown Winters as a vibrant destination for history, art, theater, music, and culinary experiences. Looking ahead, the Society is working toward establishing a permanent exhibit space to serve as a lasting home for this community-driven storytelling.
Dixon Historical Society and Museum - $500
The Dixon Historical Society and Museum work to protect, preserve, and promote the history of Dixon along with its pioneering families through exhibits, lectures, and events as well as research, publications, and educational activities. They are a membership-based organization that contributes time and financial support to collect, interpret, and sustain local history; ensuring a legacy that shall enrich the lives of present and future generations of Dixonites.
Vacaville Museum - $500
Vacaville Museum’s Mission is to build community through shared history. They do this by preserving and celebrating the unique history and culture of Solano County. Support of the Vacaville Museum helps them to continue creating experiences that help educate and inspire our community through our shared heritage. The Vacaville Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Pena Adobe Historical Society - $500
The mission of the Pena Adobe Historical Society is to preserve the history of the Pena Adobe and provide educational and cultural services to the community. Pena Abode Historical Society mission as a nonprofit organization is to preserve, restore, and operate the historic Peña Adobe, California Historical Landmark #534 and the adjacent Mowers-Goheen Museum. Donations support educational programs serving students and educators each year and allow them to buy materials needed to manage their collections. As a 501(c)(3) organization, donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law.
Remember-A-Vet - $500
Remember-a-Vet’s mission is to secure donations to purchase boughs, ensuring that each grave site at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery is recognized and honored during the holiday season.
Winter’s Elder Day Council - $500
A 501(c)(3) non-profit in the City of Winters representing our older and elder adult population residing in and around the city of winters, Solano and Yolo county residents. WEDC holds annual events to celebrate and educate our seniors, including workshops and seminars on topics ranging from fall prevention to housing. This nonprofit is fiscally sponsored by Faith in Action EIN:68-0431992
Vacaville People’s Forum - $500
Mission: To provide a forum for underrepresented voices in Vacaville by promoting dialogue and engagement with the greater community. Vision: We see a Vacaville where empathy and diversity are embraced, historical underrepresentation is acknowledged and addressed, and everyone has a seat at the table.
Vacaville High School Music Boosters - $500
The organization was created to provide support to the Music education and honor band activities at the local High School.
Cat Tales Rescue - $500
Cat Tales Rescue was founded in 2009 and since that time thousands of homeless cats and kittens have been rescued and adopted out to loving forever families. Spay/neuter homeless and feral cats, committed to reducing the number of cats and kittens in our community. Every donation goes directly to cats and kittens. All volunteer based 501(c)(3).
Saving Gracie - $500
In 2016, Saving Gracie was founded in service to pets who might otherwise die because their owners couldn’t afford expensive emergency care, but we soon realized our value and impact was bigger than that. Our program saves more than the pet’s life, it preserves the health-giving bond that exists between humans and their pets. We provide pet owners with financial assistance when facing a veterinary emergency.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the FY2025/26 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $75,000, $15,000 to each supervisorial district, to allow Board members to support community service programs. The Board directed County Counsel to provide guidelines on how to recommend funding for qualifying agencies or programs. The guidelines are as follows:
1. Each supervisor must submit the proposed expenditure to the County Counsel and the Auditor/Controller for initial review.
2. The Board must approve the expenditure by a majority vote.
3. The Board must determine that the expenditure is for a public purpose.
4. The Board may authorize an expenditure of public funds to a nonprofit organization so long as the County retains ultimate control over the exercise of judgement and discretion of the intended program.
5. To ensure accountability, all expenditures are subject to audits by the Auditor/Controller.
a. If the recipient provides an activity, program or service (“activity”), it shall provide an activity report within 30 days of the activity that states the number of persons attending (if applicable) or participating activities carried out, feedback from participants (if applicable) and benefits of the activity. The recipient’s failure to provide a report may result in its being considered ineligible for future funding.
b. If the recipient is purchasing property or making improvements, it shall use the funds for only the specified purposes and allow representatives of the county to inspect and/or audit the purchase or the contractor’s performance, the facility or the portion improved with the funds and/or the records pertaining to the expenditures. The recipient shall retain for inspection and audit purposes all books, receipts, documentation and other records of the expenditures for three (3) years from date of receiving funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The expenditures totaling $5,000 in contributions from District 4 are included in the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget. The cost associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department's FY2025/26 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to authorize this expenditure; however, this is not recommended as this item is consistent with Board policy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in coordination with the County Administrator’s Office, County Auditor-Controller’s Office, and County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION