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Authorize the County's contribution of $1,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit the following organizations, including Armijo Sober Grad Nite ($500) and Vacaville Christian High School Grad Nite ($500)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Mashburn requests that the Board authorize the County’s contribution of $1,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit the following organizations, including Armijo Sober Grad Nite ($500) and Vacaville Christian High School Grad Nite ($500).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
District 5 has identified two local non-profit organizations for which to contribute its non-county contribution allocation: Armijo Sober Grad Nite and Vacaville Christian High School Grad Nite.
Graduation night is statistically one of the most dangerous nights of a child's life. Sober Grad Night events across Solano County and the state are traditionally parent-sponsored events held annually in collaboration with the child’s high school. The concept was developed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in 1985 in response to the many graduating seniors who were celebrating the completion of high school with unsupervised parties where alcohol and/or drugs were being consumed and leading to tragic results. The goal of Sober Grad Night events is to provide a fun, safe, supervised, and sober all-night graduation celebration on the night of graduation day for all graduating high school seniors.
Community support is essential to sustaining these events as an annual tradition for our graduating seniors. Donations to Armijo Sober Grad Nite and Vacaville Christian High School Grad Nite directly support each school’s safe and sober, all-night celebration-providing students with a fun-filled, memorable final night of high school and ensuring their safe return home the following morning as they begin the next chapter of adulthood.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the FY2025/2026 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.
1. Each supervisor must submit the proposed expenditure to 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 judgment and discretion of the intended program.
5. To ensure accountability, all expenditures are subject to periodic audit by the Auditor-Controller; and
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 expenditure of the $1,000 contribution to the Armijo Sober Grad Nite and Vacaville Christian High School Grad Nite program serving District 5 high school seniors from the Class of 2026 is included in the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget. The costs 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 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