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DATE: |
November 4, 2025 and November 18, 2025 |
03 |
SUBJECT
Title
ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE IIIp OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO (11/4/25 - FIRST READING; 11/18/25 SECOND READING, UNLESS ORDINANCE IS MODIFIED ON SECOND READING) (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The First 5 Commission of San Diego (Commission) was established in 1998 in accordance with the requirements of the California Children and Families Act of 1998 (Proposition 10). Funded by tobacco tax revenues, Proposition 10 mandates that each county develop and update a strategic plan for the support and improvement of early care, education, and development systems for children and families. County commissions are charged with administering the local Children and Families Trust Fund in accordance with Proposition 10 and the locally approved strategic plan. State law specifies that the local commission must maintain independent oversight of the strategic plan and the local trust fund.
Today’s action requires two steps. On November 4, 2025, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) is requested to approve the introduction of an Ordinance amending provisions in Article IIIp of the San Diego County Code of Administrative Ordinances relating to the Commission (first reading). If the Board approves the recommended actions for November 4, 2025, then on November 18, 2025, the Board is requested to consider and adopt the Ordinance. The proposed ordinance will add clarifying language under the Commission’s “Term of Office” and “Duties and Responsibilities” sections of Article IIIp to address outdated language regarding at-large members and the Commission’s authority to control the local Children and Families Trust Fund, including the ability to authorize contracts or grant agreements with other entities as necessary. This amendment will codify existing practice and ensure that the San Diego County Code of Administrative Ordinances is consistent with State law.
Today’s action supports the County of San Diego (County) vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind, as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by seeking to improve early childhood health, learning, and comprehensive development in San Diego County as well as the Commission’s vision that “all children, ages 0 through 5, in San Diego County are safe, healthy, actively learning, and embraced by loving families and supportive communities.”
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
On November 4, 2025:
1. Approve the introduction of the Ordinance (first reading):
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 84.103 AND 84.108 OF ARTICLE IIIp OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO.
If, on November 4, 2025, the Board takes action as recommended in Item 1 above then, on November 18, 2025:
1. Consider and adopt the Ordinance (second reading):
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 84.103 AND 84.108 OF ARTICLE IIIp OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The First 5 Commission of San Diego (Commission) has over 25 years of providing high quality early care and education support services to children ages 0 through 5 regionwide. Working through a network of contracted providers, the Commission provides families with comprehensive services that support their development and overall well-being. Their mission is to “promote the health, learning, and well-being of young children and their families by fostering collaboration and making equity-centered investments to help every child have the very best start in life.”
The Commission aims to ensure services are equitably available to all families regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation. This work is accomplished via the approved First 5 San Diego Strategic Plan July 2025-June 2030 (Strategic Plan), reviewed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on February 11, 2025 (2). The Strategic Plan was informed by an Ad Hoc committee comprised of diverse and cross sector community stakeholders, including experts in early childhood development, racial equity, public health, and strategic planning. The committee provided valuable input to inform the Commission of the comprehensive and emerging needs of pregnant individuals and children ages 0 through 5.
To develop the Strategic Plan, the Commission adopted a participatory planning process to ensure the voice of key stakeholders, experts, community-based organizations (CBOs), and, most importantly, the families served were heard and their feedback incorporated. The approach involved multiple engagement strategies, including forming an Ad Hoc committee, conducting interviews with subject matter experts, and hosting listening sessions in partnership with CBOs. It is the focus of the Commission and its programs, to continue developing and enhancing its services to address the community needs and to further expand an equity-focused approach.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The First 5 Commission of San Diego (Commission) offers families a reliable resource that supports parent and children wellness by creating opportunities to prepare children to enter school as active learners. The Commission’s programs contribute to and enhance sustainability in the areas of child and family well-being, the environment, and the economy.
Today’s action supports the County of San Diego Sustainability Goal #1 to engage the community in meaningful ways by providing opportunities for parents and providers to partner and participate in decisions that directly impact them and their children. Today’s action also supports Sustainability Goal #2 to provide just and equitable access to resources for children ages 0 through 5 by providing parents with information about the importance of the first five years of life, early care, and educate providers with opportunities to increase their quality of services and how to sustain and/or expand their services in the region.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The First 5 Commission of San Diego is scheduled to review the proposed amendment to Administrative Code Article IIIp at its October 30, 2025 meeting.
BACKGROUND
In November 1998, California voters passed the California Children and Families Act (Proposition 10). This statewide ballot initiative increased the tax on cigarettes and tobacco products and created local county commissions to oversee the funds generated by these taxes. The revenue is used to facilitate the development of comprehensive, integrated services and systems that promote early childhood development from the prenatal period through age five. Proposition 10 mandates that each county develop and update a strategic plan for the support and improvement of early care, education, and development systems for children and families. The vision of the First 5 Commission of San Diego (Commission) is that “all children, ages 0 through 5, in San Diego County are safe, healthy, actively learning, and embraced by loving families and supportive communities.”
The Commission receives approximately $19 million annually directly from the First 5 California Commission, which distributes Proposition 10 tobacco tax revenues established under the California Children and Families Act of 1998. These funds support implementation of the First 5 San Diego Strategic Plan 2025-2030, reviewed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) on February 11, 2025 (2), which guides the Commission’s actions and funding decisions. In accordance with California Health and Safety Code section 130140.1, local First 5 Commissions, though often structured as county agencies, are granted independent authority over both their 5-year strategic plan and local trust fund dollars.
Today’s action requires two steps. On November 4, 2025, the Board is requested to approve the introduction of an Ordinance amending provisions in Article IIIp of the San Diego County Code of Administrative Ordinances relating to the Commission (first reading). If the Board approves the recommended actions for November 4, 2025, then on November 18, 2025, the Board is requested to consider and adopt the Ordinance. The proposed ordinance will add clarifying language under the Commission’s “Term of Office” and “Duties and Responsibilities” sections of Article IIIp to address outdated language regarding at-large members and the Commission’s authority to control the local Children and Families Trust Fund, including the ability to authorize contracts or grant agreements with other entities as necessary. This amendment will codify existing practice and ensure that the County Administrative Code is consistent with State law.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Sustainability (Resiliency), Equity (Health), and Community (Quality of Life) and Partnership initiatives in the County of San Diego 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, by ensuring access for all children ages 0 through 5 years of age, through a fully optimized early care and education system of care, as well as providing programs and services that enhance the community through increasing the well-being of our families and providers.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 84.103 AND 84.108 OF ARTICLE IIIp OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO (Clean copy)
Attachment B - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 84.103 AND 84.108 OF ARTICLE IIIp OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO (Informational copy)