SUBJECT:
Title
ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT PROGRAM (NRP) AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CE) GRANT APPROVAL PROCESS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
Body
OVERVIEW
Details
The Board of Supervisors approves the allocation of grant funds to organizations located and operating throughout the County to assist them in providing important services and support to the individuals they serve. Through the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program (NRP), the County provides funding for one-time community, social, environmental, educational, cultural or recreational needs. Through the Community Enhancement Program (CEP), the County allocates Transient Occupancy Tax funds to stimulate tourism, promote the economy, create jobs and improve the quality of life for San Diego residents. Unlike the distribution of funding under the County’s Small Business Stimulus Grant and Microbusiness Grant programs, NRP and CEP funds must be included on a Board of Supervisors meeting agenda and brought before the Board for consideration and approval before these funds can be distributed to organizations. Under this approval process, required by Board of Supervisors Policies B-58 and B-72, the County incurs additional expenses and organizations receiving the funding experience unnecessary delays.
To streamline the current NRP and CEP grant process, we are recommending amendments to Board Policies B-58 and B-72 to provide County staff the ability to respond more effectively and efficiently to the diverse funding needs of our communities. If approved, these amendments will allow members of the Board of Supervisors to continue to receive and review funding requests and provide direction to fund the activities and projects that meet both the funding criteria and County objectives while delivering awarded funds to regional organizations in a more efficient and timely manner. Under the proposed changes, this process will more closely mirror that used to approve and award funds through the Small Business Stimulus Grant and Microbusiness Grant programs and the process used by the County of Los Angeles to award social program funds.
RECOMMENDATION
SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON:
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to work with County Counsel to amend Board Policies B-58 and B-72 to authorize County staff to award Neighborhood Reinvestment Program and Community Enhancement Program funds, as recommended by members of the Board of Supervisors, without the requirement that the recommended allocations be approved by the full Board of Supervisors.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The recommended amendments to the Board of Supervisors policies will streamline the County’s grant approval process, ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources by providing timely support to organizations serving various community needs. By improving the efficiency of the approval process, the County can better support initiatives that promote social, economic, and environmental equity within the community.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT
Enhancing the NRP and CE grant process would foster a culture of innovation and have a significant sustainability impact by streamlining decision-making and allocating resources more efficiently.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this recommendation. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years. While the initial implementation of the policy changes may require additional staff training and the establishment of new procedures, the streamlined approval process is expected to reduce costs for the County in the long run.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
The recommended policy changes are expected to have a positive impact on local businesses and organizations that apply for NRP and CE grants by expediting the approval process, allowing them to access funds more quickly. As a result, businesses and organizations can more efficiently implement their projects and initiatives, contributing to the overall economic growth and well-being of the community.
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN AT THE REQUEST OF SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON
BACKGROUND
The Board of Supervisors approves the allocation of grant funds to organizations located and operating throughout the County to assist them in providing important services and support to the individuals they serve. Through the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program (NRP), the County provides funding for one-time community, social, environmental, educational, cultural or recreational needs. Through the Community Enhancement Program (CEP), the County allocates Transient Occupancy Tax funds to stimulate tourism, promote the economy, create jobs and improve the quality of life for San Diego residents. Unlike the distribution of funding under the County’s Small Business Stimulus Grant and Microbusiness Grant programs, NRP and CEP funds must be included on a Board of Supervisors meeting agenda and brought before the Board for consideration and approval before these funds can be distributed to organizations. Under this approval process, required by Board of Supervisors Policies B-58 and B-72, the County incurs additional expenses and organizations receiving the funding experience unnecessary delays.
The current approval process not only consumes a significant amount of staff and Board time but also creates delays in the distribution of funds to the organizations and initiatives that depend on them. The inefficiencies in the existing approval process can hinder the overall impact and effectiveness of the grant programs, limiting their potential to address the community's needs in a timely manner.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors employs a grant program similar to the NRP and CEP grants, called Social Program Agreements (SPA). SPAs provide funds to County departments, public and private agencies, and individuals to meet community and social needs. The process allows Board offices to conduct their own internal review process and grant approval of funds. The proposed grants are then routed through several County offices, including the Chief Executive Office, for final approval. This process also includes quarterly disclosures of SPA fund expenditures, which are available to the public via the County’s website, ensuring transparency.
By delegating the approval process to County staff, the County can eliminate the need for the full Board to vote on the funding recommendations of each Board office, streamlining operations and allowing the Board to focus more on important policy and oversight matters. County staff, who possess expertise in evaluating grant applications and assessing project feasibility, are well positioned to ensure the timely review and distribution of grants to qualified organizations. The recommended policy changes are expected to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the NRP and CE grant programs, providing more immediate support to local organizations and benefiting the community as a whole.
To streamline the current NRP and CEP grant process, we are recommending amendments to Board Policies B-58 and B-72 to provide County staff the ability to respond more effectively and efficiently to the diverse funding needs of our communities. If approved, these amendments will allow members of the Board of Supervisors to continue to receive and review funding requests and provide direction to fund the activities and projects that meet both the funding criteria and County objectives while delivering awarded funds to regional organizations in a more efficient and timely manner. Under the proposed changes, this process will closely mirror that used to approve and award funds through the Small Business Stimulus Grant and Microbusiness Grant programs and the process used by the County of Los Angeles to award social program funds.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the County of San Diego’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, emphasizing the importance of efficient and effective service delivery. By streamlining the grant approval process for Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grants and Community Enhancement grants, this proposal supports operational excellence and continuous improvement in the County's service delivery, creating a more effective allocation of resources and quicker responses to community needs, ultimately contributing to the safety, health, and well-being of the community.
Details
Respectfully submitted,
JOEL ANDERSON
Supervisor, Second District
ATTACHMENTS:
Board Policy B-58 and B-72