Board hears warning that First 5 funding for library 'hubs' will stop June 30; supervisors direct review of non‑mandated programs and form homeless ad hoc

Summary

First 5 El Dorado and county partners told supervisors that a decline in tobacco‑tax (First 5) funding will end competitive hub funding June 30, 2025. The board directed staff to return with budget-level options for non‑mandated programs and created a homeless ad hoc to examine homelessness services and food distribution.

First 5 El Dorado, library staff and the El Dorado County Office of Education told the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 that the voter‑mandated tobacco tax funding that has supported library community “hubs” is shrinking and First 5 will not provide the same level of funding after June 30, 2025.

At stake are hub services that place navigators and family‑support staff in libraries across the county to link residents — including parents of young children and people experiencing housing insecurity — to county services. Supervisors heard data showing hub staff made thousands of referrals and hundreds of navigations in the last year and that hubs were a major route to services for low‑income families.

Nut graf: Why this matters The hubs are funded by a patchwork of state, federal and county money; First 5 was the lead funder and convenor. With the First 5 share declining, county leaders and partner agencies described plans to absorb some services, to re‑align staff where possible, and to change program levels. The board…

Board hears warning that First 5 funding for library 'hubs' will stop June 30; supervisors direct review of non‑mandated programs and form homeless ad hoc

Summary

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