Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Eleven local groups ask for TOT funding

Eleven Greater Fallbrook organizations made requests for 2013-14 Community Enhancement Funds, including several who spoke before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors during a June 10-11 hearing.

On a countywide basis, 361 entities requested a total of $11,077,027. Although only Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue derived from lodging facilities in unincorporated San Diego County funds the Community Enhancement program, organizations in incorporated cities are also eligible for funding. Each county supervisor has a $536,000 Community Enhancement budget and will decide how much of his or her budget will be given to each group.

Grants are not based on the previous year’s allocation, there are no adverse consequences of asking for more money than will be granted, and most organizations will receive less than their request. Each county supervisor also has a $1 million discretionary Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget, so some Community Enhancement requests may be fulfilled from that funding.

In 2012, the Bonsall Chamber of Commerce requested $18,600 and received $8,000. This year the chamber asked for $38,500. Expanding the chamber’s website, use of social media to attract visitors, and use of electronic communications to promote local commercial activities would account for $20,000 of that funding while $5,000 would provide targeted strategies to attract visitors, $5,000 would be used for an outreach program to one or more units of Camp Pendleton, $4,500 would organize and sponsor electronic and printed materials to inform potential employers about demographics and other resources, and $4,000 would promote Chamber of Commerce events.

Last year, the Camp Pendleton Historical Society received $3,000 of its $10,000 request. The $8,000 request for 2013-14 would provide $6,000 for an administrative assistant contractor position and $2,000 for an intern to assist in cataloguing and archiving historical material.

The Fallbrook Art Association requested $14,200 for 2012-13 and was given $10,000. This year the association desires $14,700 and would spend $10,000 for a spring open juried show and a fall judged show, $3,500 for rent and utilities for a Scarecrow Factory storefront, and $1,200 for art demonstrations.

Fallbrook Center of the Arts, Inc., received $19,280 of last year’s $100,000 request and is seeking the same amount this year. The former Fallbrook Village Association desires $45,000 for postcards, brochures, stationery, flyers, media advertising, postage, distribution services, window displays, signage, website design, and website maintenance. Another $30,000 would cover grading, landscaping, site preparation, bleachers, and other equipment for a special events area at the Fallbrook School of the Arts. The remaining $25,000 would replace and upgrade the Fallbrook Art Center exterior signs.

The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, which obtained $60,000 of its $150,000 request last year, is hoping for $155,000. The chamber would spend $60,000 on the Avocado Festival, $35,000 for business and economic development, $25,000 on tourism and visitor center support, $25,000 on programs to assist Hispanic businesses, and $10,000 for the Christmas parade.

In 2012, the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society received $3,000 of its $10,000 request. This year the society has asked for $5,000 for carpet replacement in all areas of the building used by the public including the meeting room, the museum, and the offices.

The Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation, which did not request 2012-13 funds, desires $23,444. Salary for a full-time care van driver to transport seniors and the disabled would account for $23,088. The other $1,356 would install five concrete ballasters in front of the Adult Day Care Center to prevent vehicles from running into the building and injuring clients or staff.

A $9,610 request in 2012 from the Fallbrook Land Conservancy Foundation resulted in $8,000 of TOT funding. This year the FLC asked for $9,680. The program to clear trails and fire roads in the Santa Margarita Rivershed would utilize $3,150 to pay for 14 days of Rainbow/CalFire crews and $600 to purchase a new chain saw. Stage Coach Sunday activities would have $3,000 in funding. The FLC would spend $2,500 for materials for the Walkabout Web Trail. The remaining $210 would purchase a 1,000-watt generator which would provide power for pole saws used in pruning trees on downtown Fallbrook streets.

Last year’s $8,000 grant to the Fallbrook Music Society was the result of a $15,000 request. This year’s identical request would help cover costs of the Symphony Pops on the Green event.

Although the Live Oak Park Coalition’s $21,000 request last year to purchase and install a shared structure for the children’s playground equipment was not funded, the organization has requested the same amount this year for the same purpose.

REINS (Riding Emphasizing Individual Needs and Strengths) received $6,000 of last year’s $141,520 request. This year the therapeutic horsemanship program asked for $15,000 for horseback therapy programs.

Two Fallbrook groups who received 2012-13 funding did not seek TOT revenue this year. The Fallbrook Food Pantry received $4,000 to fund a computer system upgrade and the Live Oak Questers obtained $2,500 to cover restoration expenses for the Pittenger House.

 

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