YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - With the spirit of giving near, city officials set aside $5,000 for three upcoming events that all Yuba City residents can enjoy.

On Sept. 3, Yuba City Council monetarily supported the Sutter County Community Memorial Museum Association, the Alliance for Hispanic Advancement (AHA), and SAYLove Sutter and Yuba.

Administration Analyst Kristi Morales presented the community event sponsorships’ policy, noting that “the intent is for the public to receive some intrinsic cultural, economic, educational or entertainment value from the event.”

According to Morales, the amended Community Sponsorship Policy allocates $20,000 for community contributions and $10,000 annually for community events in Fiscal Year 2024-25. The quarterly funds provide $5,000 for contributions and $2,500 for events.

“The total $5,000 would come out of the community events,” Morales explained. 

Per policy, no-profit application reviews are on a first-come, first-served basis. To be considered, any group must provide events or programs benefiting Yuba City residents while promoting Yuba City's reputation and spirit to the general public. 

Sutter County Community Memorial Museum Association does just that.

“They are requesting $1,000 for sponsorship for the annual Trees & Traditions fundraising event that will take place Dec. 6,” Morales said.

The association supports public programs, education, fundraising events and exhibits, which strengthen community bonds by sharing local stories and celebrating diverse cultural heritage, according to Morales.

Alliance for Hispanic Advancement, a long-standing organization serving Yuba City's Hispanic community, seeks funds for a culturally-inspired spring celebration.

“AHA is requesting a monetary sponsorship for $1,500 for their Primavera Otra Veze event that will take place on Jan. 18, 2025,” Morales said before placing her third request.

“My last response tonight is for SAYLove Sutter and Yuba that is requesting a monetary sponsorship of $2,500,” Morales said of the Sept. 26 event, including cocktails and dinner, hosted by the Yuba-Sutter monthly community clean-up group.

Before approving all funds, Councilman Marc Boomgaarden questioned using the amount of funds now. 

“It looks to me like we are giving away half the money right now,” Boomgaarden said. “I know it is broken up by quarters but I guess I am just a little concerned that if the budget is $10,000 and it is $2,500 quarterly.”

While he is fine sponsoring the SAYLove event, Boomgaarden said, he is “struggling” with the timing of the others since it “limits the quarters” upcoming.

Mayor Shon Harris sought the input of City Manager Diana Langley, who informed officials that this would be the first time that the city sponsored the SAYLove Savor and Alliance for Hispanic Advancement event, although it has contributed funds to Alliance for Hispanic Advancement before for sponsorship only.

“I also want to note that the policy says first-come, first-served and these three organizations submitted their applications early on and we did break it up,” Langley said, adding that this year, funds were in quarters to grant council more flexibility to "look into the future" as far as applications and event dates.

While Harris said the “key is first come, first serve,” Vice-Mayor Dave Shaw backed Boomgaarden by asking, “Philosophically, which one are we are comfortable with?”

After discussion, the council agreed that as long as the quarterly funds are used within the time of the event, all is well.