Board allocates $1 million in T.O.T. grants; residents press supervisors about sheriff funding and services

The Sacramento County Board approved the allocation of $1 million for the FY 2026‑27 Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.) grant program, distributing funds across 101 recommended nonprofit awards after staff described a competitive review process. Staff said the program is in its tenth year and that districts were allocated $200,000 each from the $1 million pool; the application period drew 271 eligible requests totaling roughly $7 million in asks.

At the start of the meeting dozens of off‑agenda speakers urged supervisors to restore funding cut from the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s office, saying reductions would threaten public safety and community programs such as POP teams and community DA initiatives. Several small business owners and neighborhood leaders described direct experiences with local crime and called for reversing recent budget actions; others urged protecting spending on supportive services, prevention and youth programs.

Board staff said the T.O.T. grant awards were recommended after review and coordination with district offices and that awardees will be notified and agreements executed over the summer. The board approved the awards 5‑0.

What to watch: supervisors and staff said they will continue outreach on budget priorities; several speakers asked the board to re‑consider budget decisions and at one point a motion to reconsider recent budget allocations passed 4‑1 earlier in the meeting, signaling continuing budget debate.

Sources: staff presentation and public testimony during the Board of Supervisors meeting on June 16, 2025.