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Board approves sponsorships for Farm to Fork and Pumpkin Weigh‑Off amid auditor concerns about public‑fund optics
Summary
The board approved $2,000 and $10,000 sponsorships for local events but heard the Auditor‑Controller caution about optics and accessibility when public funds buy event seats; staff and counsel will draft a sponsorship policy and an ad hoc was named to work on it.
Yuba County authorized two community sponsorships on Sept. 23 but the approvals were accompanied by a call from the Auditor‑Controller for clearer policy.
Ashley Petochnik, economic‑development manager, asked the board to sponsor the Terra Madre Farm to Fork dinner (two tables at $2,000) and the National Pumpkin Weigh‑Off (gold level, $10,000). The sponsorships were proposed as business‑retention and community‑engagement investments under the county economic‑development budget.
Auditor‑Controller Richard Eberly said he appreciated the events but raised optics concerns about using public funds to purchase event tickets for seats that require paid admission. He noted that the Farm to Fork dinner requires payment to attend and said county sponsorships should meet common criteria such as public benefit, hosting by a legally recognized organization and being open and accessible to county residents. “One of the things I think is really interesting is the criteria that says be open and accessible to the public,” Eberly told the board.
County counsel offered to research legal criteria for sponsorships if the board desired. CEO Kevin asked whether the board wanted a sponsorship policy; he said Richard had proposed a policy and solicited direction for staff. Supervisors Vasquez and House were appointed to an ad hoc with county staff to craft policy language.
Despite the cautions, the board declared a public interest and approved the two sponsorships by voice vote and directed staff to bring forward policy options for future approvals.
