Measure K committee recommends six community grants, staff warns awards aren’t guaranteed long term

The Measure K Oversight Committee on Feb. 24 voted to recommend six community action grant awards for fiscal year 2025–26 by approving Resolution MKOC2026-01.

A staff member presenting the subcommittee’s review told the committee the pool of applicants was smaller than in prior years and that a frequent applicant, the Salvation Army, did not submit applications this cycle. The staff member said the panel chose to fund eligible applicants rather than turn any away and therefore allocated somewhat higher amounts this year, but cautioned recipients “this is not something not a number to depend on.”

During discussion, a committee member asked whether Measure K funds had been used recently to support a fire truck purchase. The staff member said broader Measure K allocations did help close a gap on a prior fire truck purchase, describing a pull of about $130,000 to complete that acquisition, but said the specific community grants pot — which the staff member said totals $3,030,000 — was not tapped for the fire department this year.

The committee opened the item for public comment and received none. The chair moved to adopt the resolution; a clerk seconded the motion and the committee approved it unanimously. The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Gonzales City Council for final approval under the normal council process.

The staff report noted that because fewer organizations applied this year, award amounts are higher on a one-time basis and are not assured in subsequent funding cycles.