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 5
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to Catalino Tapia Scholarship Foundation to support low-income students in pursuing a college education, 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.
On March 9, 2021, and March 23, 2021, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2021-23. The Board-appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study sessions to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FYs 2021-23. The Board approved $5 million in one-time loans or grants for the FY 2021-23 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. District 5 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:
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District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 5 (Supervisor David J. Canepa) - Catalino Tapia Scholarship Foundation: 20 scholarship awards for 20 low-income students. Each award consists of $2,000 and a gift cards with a value of $250. |
$50,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Catalino Tapia Scholarship Foundation (CTSF), and the resulting grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to support low-income students in pursuing a college education. The purpose of CTSF’s is to increase the number of first-generation and immigrant scholars earning degrees by offering scholarships, mentoring, and computers. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
CTSF provides financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to lift a financial burden on low-income students residing in San Mateo County who continue struggling post-pandemic.
In addition to the scholarship, each eligible student would benefit from the tech card program which can be used to upgrade or buy any technological needs to continue reaching their educational goals. The $250 card can be used for technological needs. Students can upgrade their laptops, buy printers, ink, keyboards, headphones, charging cables, SD cards or buy subscriptions to Adobe. The tech cards are provided with the scholarship award checks. The tech card program is designed to recognize that students incur additional technological costs to complete their education.
All scholarship winners are very low income, according to Area Median Income (AMI) figures. There isn’t a scholar age requirement, however, most scholars are aged 25 years and under. The foundation welcomes applicants who are working towards a degree. The foundation is committed to providing scholarships to students facing significant financial barriers to actualize their college goals. The scholarship program is separate from the workshops and mentorships.
The grant from Measure K will enable CTSF to:
• support low-income students who lack financial support and support networks. This grant would target young adults willing to better their lives through education. The scholarships will be awarded to students that are enrolled to attend college in the Fall of 2023. Each scholar would receive a $2,000 scholarship that can be used toward tuition expenses.
• provide 20 scholarship awards to 20 students. Each award consists of $2,000 and a tech card with a value of $250. Each recipient is eligible to participate in a series of workshops and is provided a mentor for a school cycle. In total, CTSF will invest $2,500 per scholar for the academic year 2023-2024.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000
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:
Catalino Tapia Scholarship Foundation
727 Industrial Road, Suite 117, San Carlos, CA 94070
Linda Avendano, Board Directors, Treasurer: (650) 631 - 1200
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
20 scholarships awarded to qualified students |
June 20, 2023 |
|
20 tech cards given to qualified students |
June 20, 2023 |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2022-23 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2022-23 Approved Recommended Budget.