Local Organizations Allocated TOT Funds

By Joe Naiman

Budget deliberations for the County of San Diego began a week earlier than expected, allowing for the allocation of Community Enhancement funds to be approved June 22 along with the rest of the county’s 2005-06 budget. A 4-0 Board of Supervisors vote, with Supervisor Ron Roberts on travel to a California Air Resources Board meeting, approved the allocation of $3,000,000 of Community Enhancement funds, including funds for six Julian organizations and one Warner Springs organization.

Community Enhancement Funds are derived from Transient Occupancy Tax revenue collected from lodging facilities in the unincorporated portion of the county, although organizations in incorporated cities are also eligible for funding. Each supervisor decides how to allocate his or her allotted amount, although the allocations must be ratified by the rest of the board. Supervisors have two discretionary sources of funding, and from time to time the existence of unspent Community Projects funds allows supervisors to fund requested projects through the Community Projects budget rather than with the Community Enhancement funding. Most organizations received less than the amount of Community Enhancement funds they requested, and the amount awarded is not based on the previous year’s funding.

Intermountain Park and Recreation, which operates Jess Martin Park’s Altitudez Skatepark, was allocated $5,000 for liability insurance for the skatepark, sanitation, and utilities. The organization, which had requested $10,000 of 2005-06 funding, received $4,500 last year.

The Julian Arts Guild was allocated its full $2,000 request for construction and maintenance of a Website. The guild received the same amount last year.

The Julian Chamber of Commerce will receive $95,000 of its $135,000 request, an increase from the $85,000 of 2004-05 funding. The chamber plans to maintain historic buildings and the town site, market to promote tourism, sponsor special events, and maintain public restrooms and parking.

The Julian Historical Society will receive $20,000 for the completion of an exhibit garage for the restored 1912 Mack motor stage, for the restoration of a companion vehicle, and for the installation of a period line shaft machine shop exhibit. The historical society, which received $20,000 last year, requested $50,000.

The Julian Merchants Association was allocated $14,000 of its $38,000 request. The association, will use the money for special community events and promotions.

The Julian Pioneer Museum will receive $15,000, less than its $40,000 request but the same amount as it received last year. The museum sought the money for an Indian cultural room addition to the museum.

The Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation was allocated $8,000 for the promotion of ecotourism. The organization, which received $5,000 of Transient Occupancy Tax funds last year, had requested $10,000.

The Warner Springs Community Resource Board, which had not previously sought Community Enhancement funds, was allocated $2,000 of its $20,000 request. The funding was requested for a tourist information center, signage, and the monthly newsletter.