Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 2
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $20,000 to Samaritan House for “Resilient Samaritan House: Building Operational Strength in Times of Crisis,” and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 2 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 2 (Supervisor Noelia Corzo) - Samaritan House: “Resilient Samaritan House: Building Operational Strength in Times of Crisis” |
$20,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 2 indicates that this organization is either a public agency operating within the County or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. District 2 indicates that the sponsoring Board member, member’s family, and member’s supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Samaritan House in an amount not to exceed $20,000, to provide for “Resilient Samaritan House: Building Operational Strength in Times of Crisis.” The County Executive's Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District 2 indicates that this organization has not previously received Measure K district-discretionary funding.
Samaritan House is a Core Service Agency in San Mateo County and delivers essential services and personalized support, connecting underserved residents to the full range of resources and services they need. Beyond ensuring clients are fed, clothed, healthy and housed, Samaritan House stabilizes lives and helps clients thrive as active, contributing members of their communities. Samaritan House has eight public service locations in San Mateo County.
This district discretionary grant will be used to fund the following project or services:
Resilient Samaritan House is an organization-wide initiative aimed at ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential services-including healthcare, food, housing, and economic support-across San Mateo County during major emergencies. Samaritan House has grown significantly over the past decade, now serving 30,000 of the County’s most vulnerable residents. As climate-related disasters and public safety threats become more frequent and complex, the ability to respond rapidly and effectively is critical.
Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment to ensure that Samaritan House can provide a streamlined and unified crisis response with the goal of maintaining safe, fully functional service sites where residents can continue accessing critical care. Resilient Samaritan House lays the foundation for long-term resilience and establishes a model for a community-based disaster response that prioritizes the collective health and well-being of clients, staff, and volunteers-ensuring uninterrupted service to District 2 and San Mateo County when it matters most.
This district-discretionary grant will enable the organization to meet the following need or service gap within the County: disaster preparedness infrastructure for core service agencies.
District 2 has informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other sources of funding going forward. The grantee organization will use the Measure K grant as follows:
|
Item |
Amount |
|
Direct Costs |
|
Large solar generator for kitchen equipment |
$10,938 |
|
Small power stations to charge small IT equipment |
$2,188 |
|
EVAC-chair for stairwell |
$1,641 |
|
2 Towers and flood lights for client safety |
$2,188 |
|
Hot water handwashing station |
$3,045 |
|
Subtotal Direct Costs |
$20,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$20,000 |
The project or services funded by this district-discretionary grant will be implemented and provided between November 2025 and November 2026. The project is estimated to be completed November 18, 2026.
The following other community organizations are involved in or contributing funds to this project/these services, as follows: the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $20,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Samaritan House San Mateo
Laura Bent, CEO
laura@samaritanhousesanmateo.org
650-523-0812
4031 Pacific Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94403
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Purchase and install equipment for emergency preparedness: • Large solar generator for kitchen equipment • Small power stations to charge small IT equipment • EVAC-chair for stairwell • 2 Towers and flood lights • Hot water handwashing station |
100% Complete |
|
At least 2 chairs per multi-story site installed and operational; staff trained in evacuation protocols. |
100% Complete |
|
Lighting deployed at both San Mateo HQ and El Camino House Shelter; sanitation system operational at HQ Kitchen. |
100% Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Resilient Samaritan House addresses the heightened risks faced by underserved residents in San Mateo County-low-income communities, seniors, and unsheltered individuals-who are disproportionately impacted during emergencies. These communities frequently lack timely access to information, transportation, and healthcare during disasters, placing their safety and well-being at greater risk. By strengthening culturally inclusive infrastructure and planning at Samaritan House service sites, this project ensures that County residents can enjoy continued access to essential services and tailored crisis support. It centers equity by reducing barriers, protecting high-need populations, and closing critical gaps in San Mateo County’s emergency response system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2025-26 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.