RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Cordova City Council recently addressed crucial budget decisions for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024-25 during the June 17 meeting. Specifically, adopting a resolution that would determine funding levels for various community projects and initiatives under the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund was discussed.

This year’s funding attracted considerable interest, with a total of $12 million in funding requested submitted across 115 applications. City Council allocates approximately 25% of its expected Measure H (a 50-cent local sales tax measure approved in 2014 and 2020) revenues to community grants. The projected Fiscal Year 2024-25 revenues for Measure H are estimated to be $11.7 million, of which roughly $3.4 million is anticipated to go toward community grants.

Some projects include the Cordova Youth Spotlight Orchestra, the California Capital Film Office, College Esports and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.

“Arts, culture, history, entertainment and sports is currently funded 42% of that full allocation. Education at just about 36%,” said Randi Stephens, the city’s analysist for the community investment fund.

Several Rancho Cordova residents at the meeting publicly urged the council to reconsider funding for their organizations.

“I believe this is the right team here at the City Council for our youth and our community, but we need more of White Rock,” said Will Logo.

“We are failing our youth.” said Logo, referring to the death of Cordova High running back Elijah Wallace, who died Saturday 15 in an alleged drive-by shooting. “All I’m asking is for free character building, development and rec sports in the time they need the most.” 

Representatives from Fitrah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable youth such as those in the foster system, justice-involved, homeless or out of school, through workforce development, also addressed the council.

“This organization has changed me into the person I wanted to be, and I believe it can do the same for others,” said Stallion King, a youth participant of the program. “Fitrah created a life for me that I couldn’t even imagine. It allowed me to live out my dream by investing in me.”

A Folsom Cordova Unified School District student said, “I was homeless with my family bouncing from place to place trying to withstand everything that we were going through. I was referred to Fitrah and not only do I feel safe, but they are teaching me the skills that will help me in the long run. I faced a lot of difficulties in my life and Fitrah has been changing that for me.”

Another item addressed was adopting an urgency ordinance, which proposed extending a temporary moratorium for one year. This moratorium applies for the establishment, expansion and modification of certain uses within the Villages of Zinfandel.

“Two weeks ago, we brought forward the actual report detailing out what our tasks have been over the past year so this is the final process where we are asking you to extend this ordinance for a period of a year,” said Darcy Goulart with the city’s Planning Department. “The ordinance itself is because we are reviewing all the changes that we need to make to finalize through the zoning code as well as the Special Planning Area documents.”

 

The extension would continue restrictions initially put in place by Ordinance No. 7-2023 originally implemented to halt new development and changes within these designated zones.

“It is imperative this extension be approved in order to evaluate the appropriate structures to be built conducive to the health and safety for residents,” said Dawne Davison, a Stone Creek resident.

Other residents at the meeting also voiced their support for the project. Sara Malone and Valerie Knipschild also expressed gratitude to the city for their efforts in supporting the neighborhood and prioritizing residents’ health and welfare.

This decision reflects the council’s ongoing efforts to manage and regulate development within specific areas of the city, balancing economic growth with strategic planning and community considerations by avoiding any significant environmental impacts through the establishment of standards and regulations.