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Approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation for revenue of $1,000,000 for a one-year period ending March 16, 2027, to implement four projects to support programs and provide services which improve the health and well-being of the people of Solano County, including $500,000 to support operations of the First 5 Center in Vallejo, $280,000 to continue the Mobile Food Pharmacy program, $120,000 to provide services to youth transitioning through and out of Probation, and $100,000 to support conservation and preservation of Patwin ancestral land through education and exploration of local outdoor spaces; Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request for $1,000,000 for FY2025/26 in unanticipated revenue (4/5 vote required); and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the intergovernmental agreement and contracts and agreements related to project implementation
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation for revenue of $1,000,000 for a one-year period ending March 16, 2027, to implement four projects to support programs and provide services which improve the health and well-being of the people of Solano County, including $500,000 to support operations of the First 5 Center in Vallejo, $280,000 to continue the Mobile Food Pharmacy, $120,000 to provide services to youth transitioning through and out of Probation, and $100,000 to support conservation and preservation of Patwin ancestral land through education and exploration of local outdoor spaces; Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) for $1,000,000 for FY2025/26 in unanticipated revenue (4/5 vote required); and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the intergovernmental agreement and contracts and agreements related to project implementation.
SUMMARY:
Since 2017, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation (Yocha Dehe) has provided annual funding in the amount of $1,000,000, nearly $8 million to date, to Solano County to support programs that positively impact people’s lives, especially those in need. These funds have contributed to a number of valuable programs the County provides. Yocha Dehe is proposing to provide $1,000,000 for the period of March 17, 2026, through March 16, 2027, to fund four projects within the County as detailed below.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to approve the agreement and there is no requirement for the County to provide local matching funds. Approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement will bring $1 million in revenue to the County to support the community through four projects included in this Board item. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is a sovereign Native American nation which holds ancestral territory within Solano County. Yocha Dehe is committed to improving the environment, educational status, and the health, safety, and general welfare of not only their citizens, but Native American and non-Native American people throughout California. Revenue from gaming operations enable Yocha Dehe to help non-tribal communities in a meaningful way, including supporting local jurisdictions.
In October 2017, the County of Solano and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation entered into an intergovernmental agreement under which Yocha Dehe provided $1,000,000 to the County to support the County’s efforts to provide valuable services to improve the health and well-being of Solano County residents. In 2017, this included the establishment of the Mobile Food Pharmacy, Vibe Solano programs, and Helping Families with Basic Needs. Due to the success of the partnership and the projects and programs it supported, Yocha Dehe provided the same level of funding to the County the following year to continue support of the initial three projects and to add two new projects, one that benefited adults working towards obtaining their high school diplomas, and another to provide seniors with access to transportation.
Since then, Yocha DeHe has provided nearly $8 million to the County to support the most vulnerable Solano County residents. Yocha Dehe now proposes to provide $1 million through March 16, 2027, to support the community through four projects included in Exhibit A of the Intergovernmental Agreement (Attachment A), as summarized below:
Helping Families - $500,000
This funding will assist operations of the Vallejo First 5 Center, which provides a co-location of common services. The majority of the funds ($300,000) will be used to support the continuation and expansion of operations at the Center, which provides accessible, comprehensive early childhood and family support services. Expansion will include targeted outreach efforts to engage new families and strengthen partnerships to provide additional resources for families in need. The remainder of the allocation ($200,000) will support the Basic Needs Assistance Fund, which provides families with assistance during financial crises, such as eviction, utility shut offs, and food insecurity. Services are provided at no cost to the recipients.
Mobile Food Pharmacy - $280,000
In 2017, funding provided by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation enabled the County to purchase a food delivery truck that serves as a Mobile Food Pharmacy, operated by the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Yocha Dehe has continued to provide funding for this program every year, supplying nearly 4.7 million pounds of free, fresh produce to over 18,700 “patients” with prescriptions to the Food Pharmacy. This year, in addition to providing healthy and nutritious food to Solano County families, the funding will also support the mandatory replacement of the Mobile Food Pharmacy’s refrigeration unit so that the program may continue long-term.
Early Intervention and Transition Support for At Promise Youth
This program helps youth in transition through and out of Probation, providing a variety of resources and services ranging from professional attire to mentoring services that enhances culturally relevant efforts with a focus on building resiliency in the lives of youth in transition towards success.
Solano Resource Conservation District
This program provides outdoor experiences for students across Solano County to be inspired by the natural world and local open spaces, and by doing so, supports and preserves Patwin ancestral land. These experiences are field trip-based programs such as the Watershed Explorers Program for third graders, the Suisun Marsh Program for sixth graders, and the Biomonitoring Program for high school students. The program emphasizes environmental literacy and provides vital knowledge and experience to the youth who will be responsible for future natural resources.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the agreement and/or the ATR; however, this is not recommended as the agreement will bring revenue into Solano County for services that will benefit a variety of community members. Additionally, this will continue the ongoing relationship with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
First 5 Solano, the Solano County Departments of Health and Social Services and Probation, and the Solano Resource Conservation District worked closely with Chair Monica Brown, Supervisor Mitch Mashburn, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation on this process. County Counsel has reviewed the proposed intergovernmental agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION