Grant approved to survey property owners downtown

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Feb. 28 to approve a $30,000 Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grant to the Fallbrook Village Association to cover the costs of a detailed survey which will determine whether support among Downtown Fallbrook property owners exists for a benefit assessment district.

Property owners will be surveyed through New City America, Inc., which helped create a benefit district in the Little Italy area on the outskirts of Downtown San Diego. If support among property owners exists, a vote will be taken to create a Community Benefit District for Downtown Fallbrook which will utilize an assessment to fund special benefit services and will create an organization of businesses and property owners to partner with the “Prosperity on Purpose” economic plan for North County.

“The state ended redevelopment, and we are looking for ways to help revitalize our communities,” said Supervisor Bill Horn. “We would like to help kick-start this by giving this grant out.”

In 1999, the county implemented the Community Projects Program, whose purpose is to provide grants to non-profit organizations for the furtherance of public purposes at the regional and community levels. The money can be spent on organizations either in incorporated cities or in unincorporated areas, and although each county supervisor recommends the allocation of his or her funds, the allocations must be approved by a majority of the Board of Supervisors.

In 2009 the program’s name was changed to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program and Board of Supervisors Policy B-72 was approved to establish the program’s funding cycle, eligibility requirements, and application process while defining staff and recipient organization responsibilities.

A September 2010 amendment to Policy B-72 added a requirement that grants to non-profit community organizations must be used for capital improvements (including contracted labor, consultant costs, or other professional services), equipment, materials, goods, or supplies.

The Feb. 28 vote also waived Policy B-72, which was only the fourth time Policy B-72 had been waived.

“It seems to me to meet a lot of tests of a very good project,” said Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. “Fallbrook needs to have some additional assistance in becoming what it could possibly become.”

Supervisor Dianne Jacob cast the vote against the allocation.

“I do question the pot of money that we would be taking it out of and the waiver of the policy,” she said. “The waiver mechanism should be used for extenuating circumstances only.”

Each county supervisor has two discretionary funds: the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program and the Community Enhancement Program. The Community Enhancement Program is funded by Transient Occupancy Tax revenue and is intended to encourage tourism and economic development.

“I believe that is a more appropriate pot of money to draw on,” Jacob said.

Community Enhancement funds are allocated during the annual budget process which includes a Board of Supervisors hearing in early June specifically for Community Enhancement funding and adoption of the Community Enhancement budget in conjunction with adoption of the annual fiscal year budget in late June. Horn defended the use of Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funds for the Fallbrook survey. “The name of this fund is Neighborhood Reinvestment,” he said.

Fallbrook Village Association president Vince Ross has lived in Fallbrook for 46 years.

“I really do feel that this grant would be a first step for us,” he said. “We also realize that it’s going to be a very big challenge asking property owners to seriously consider assessing themselves.”

The survey will ensure that property owners view a Community Benefit District as beneficial to the area and will also determine the boundaries of the potential assessment district.

“I think it’s a great idea that we’re going to be able to invest in our own community,” said Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Richard Kennedy.

“I would be excited to pay for part of this,” said Craig Grimm, who has lived in Fallbrook since 1974. “This will be successful if there’s a clear program that gives local control to the property owners.”

Grimm added that the benefit district could be eliminated if property owners feel it is not serving its purpose.

The “Prosperity on Purpose” plan seeks to interconnect North County’s resources and will analyze land use, employment, education, infrastructure, transportation, water, and healthcare.

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grant allows the Fallbrook Village Association to vote on a contract with New City America, Inc., which is expected to be a formality. The survey is expected to take place in April or May.

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