Lake County supervisors agree to $25,000 for 1 Team 1 Dream pending MOU

The Lake County Board of Supervisors signaled consensus Sept. 23 to approve $25,000 for 1 Team 1 Dream, contingent on a contract or memorandum of understanding that spells out the public purpose and recipient obligations, County Counsel Lloyd told the board.

County Counsel Lloyd said staffs review raised "gift of public funds" issues and recommended that, "if your board were to move forward with this funding ... the terms of the expenditure and disbursement expressly outlines the actual public purpose" and the obligations of the funding recipient.

The action responds to a funding request listed in the agenda packet for $50,000 under budget unit 18 92. Olga Martin Steele, who represents 1 Team 1 Dream, told the board she originally requested $25,000 and remains willing to proceed at that level. Steele said the program directs funds to small businesses and that "every cent goes to a business, a small business." She also said the 2025 program is focusing on the food-and-beverage sector and that Woodland Community Colleges culinary program will participate.

Steele told the board the City of Lakeport has committed $10,000 this year and is providing venues and training space at no charge. She said the programs organizers are volunteers who generally do not take payment and that entrants now sign agreements to use any award for business purposes and must return funds if they are misused.

Supervisors expressed concern that direct cash awards to business owners could run afoul of the legal prohibition on gifts of public funds. One supervisor said they could support $25,000 "if it was solely for public benefit, for venue or for instruction or for the incubator," and emphasized that the board must see a written MOU to ensure statutory compliance and public benefit.

A public commenter asked that data on award recipients and the populations served (for example, veteran-owned or minority-owned businesses) be collected and made accessible. County staff said the board already has documentation of prior winners and that staff will attach materials to the item for public review.

Rather than a roll-call vote, the board gave direction by consensus: staff were instructed to draft and return a contract or MOU reflecting the $25,000 amount, the scope of obligations and conditions for disbursement, and to return the item to the board for approval in time to meet program timelines.

The board closed the item and moved on to the next agenda matter.