Changes Proposed to Marin's Community Services Program

As a response to public concerns, the Marin County Administrator is proposing revisions to a longstanding program that distributes small funding allocations to local nonprofits and government agencies at the discretion of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Proposed changes to the 20-year-old Community Services Program, which include a 14 percent reduction in funding, will be presented to the Board on March 19th.

County Administrator Matthew Hymel said the revisions came at the request of the Board in response to public input and a Marin County Civil Grand Jury report, which recently recommended changes pertaining to program transparency, design and fairness. The Civil Grand Jury, an independent investigative group, monitors local government and suggests ways to improve services and save taxpayer money.

“The goal our proposed changes are to keep the benefits of the program while addressing areas of concern,” Hymel said. “This program allows us to respond to many important community needs throughout the year.”

Hymel’s recommendations include moving to a countywide allocation instead of district allocations.  The allocations would be between $1,000 and $10,000 and would require sponsorship by at least one Supervisor to be considered by the County Administrator’s Office.

Starting in fiscal year 2013-14, Community Services Program funding would be $300,000 annually, a reduction of $50,000. “The County would save additional money through reduced administrative costs,” Hymel said.

Hymel’s staff report will be released March 14.