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Brawley approves MOU with Institute for Local Government for technical assistance, grant support
Summary
Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Institute for Local Government (ILG) to provide technical assistance, training and grant‑sourcing under a state BOOST program; the agreement requires no city funding.
The Brawley City Council voted Jan. 21 to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Institute for Local Government (ILG) to provide technical assistance, training and grant development support under a state program funded through the California Strategic Growth Council.
Denise Garcia, the city's special projects manager, presented the MOU and described the services ILG will provide: identifying state and federal funding opportunities, offering grant‑writing support and capacity building, facilitating relationships with state and federal officials, and leading training for staff and elected officials. "This MOU will benefit the city greatly. It'll help us build capacity and improve the city's capabilities with strategic planning, economic development," Garcia said during the presentation.
Garcia said ILG will hold regional training that includes sessions for elected officials; she and staff are targeting late February to early March for initial workshops. She told the council ILG has agreed to provide both regional training and specialized follow‑up sessions for Brawley staff and council.
Finance and staff clarified cost and oversight. The MOU carries no fiscal impact for the city: ILG is funded through the BOOST program administered by the California Strategic Growth Council, and ILG's assistance under this arrangement will not require a city match. Garcia said she will serve as the city's primary point of contact to coordinate projects and requests from departments.
Council members asked whether ILG was already partnering in the Imperial Valley; Garcia said ILG had reached out to other local cities and specifically named Calexico and El Centro as communities the organization had contacted. Members asked staff to track ILG support and bring grant applications to council for approval before submission. The motion to approve the MOU passed by unanimous voice vote.
Ending: With the MOU approved, staff said they will begin coordinating departmental needs with ILG and schedule the initial regional training for elected officials and staff.
