Read Mike Fong’s summary of the Funding Equity Working Group meeting this past Tuesday, which includes an overview of the different Neighborhood Council funding concept proposals discussed at the meeting.

Story by Mike Fong / Photos by Lilian Kim

The Funding Equity Working Group met on the evening of Tuesday, February 27.  Thank you to the boardmembers and stakeholders of various Neighborhood Councils for your participation in the Neighborhood Council Funding Equity Work Group.See an overview of the various Neighborhood Council funding concept proposals discussed during the meeting.  Thank you also to the Office of City Clerk and City Attorney’s office for their participation.

There was a robust discussion on various funding concept proposals including a presentation on proposed base funding ($37,000, $32,000, and $30,000) with an augmentation based on census population. There was also discussion and a motion passed to recommend to the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners to make a request of the City Council to reinstate a Roll Over condition.  There was also discussion on office space, meeting facility rental costs, translation costs, and analysis of data.

There was an analysis based on population presented at the meeting showing that the smallest Neighborhood Council would receive just over $4,000 and the largest Neighborhood Council would receive over $100,000 based on population. Another analysis presented had a floor operations costs of $10,000 with funding by population after operations floor. A third analysis presented information with a floor on operations of $10,000 and a floor of $5,000 for Neighborhood Purpose Grants and funding by population after operations & Neighborhood Purpose Grants floor. A fourth analysis included a floor on operations costs of $10,000 and a floor of $5,000 for Neighborhood Purpose Grants (NPG), and a Community Improvement Projects (CIP) floor of $5,000 and funding by population after Operations, NPG, and CIP Floor.

The group was scheduled to meet for a total of four meetings. A motion for two additional community meetings was made and approved at this meeting to expand the total number from four to six meetings.  These two additional community meetings will be held in late March/April.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, March 14 at 6:30 pm at the Controller’s Conference Room 351 located in City Hall East at 200 North Main Street.  All Funding Equity Working Group meetings are open to the public, and are held in accessible spaces that meet ADA guidelines. If you need help with translation, access, or other accommodations, please contact NCSupport@LACity.org or call (213) 978-1551 (M-F 9 am – 5 pm).

Photo of EmpowerLA table at the Neighborhood Council Funding Equity Working Group meeting at Van Nuys City Council Chambers February 27 (photo by Lilian Kim)