The June 23 passage of the County of San Diego’s 2009-10 budget included the allocation of Community Enhancement funds from County of San Diego’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue, and the Ramona Chamber of Commerce and the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society will receive a combined $73,000 from the program.
Each county supervisor has a $700,000 Community Enhancement budget and made recommendations on how much of his or her budget will be given to each group requesting funds. The recommendations were then ratified by the entire county board of supervisors during the approval of the budget. Although the revenue is derived only from TOT money collected from lodging facilities in the unincorporated portion of the county, organizations in incorporated cities are also eligible for funding.
Most organizations received less than the amount they requested.
Each county supervisor also has a $2 million discretionary Community Projects budget, so some Community Enhancement requests can be fulfilled by that source.
Ramona Chamber of Commerce, which received $50,000 last year, will get $53,000 of its $80,000 request for 2009-10 Community Enhancement funds. The chamber was allocated $25,000 to create a business directory showcasing local tourist destinations and a guide to local businesses; $20,000 for the Ramona Country Fair, Oktoberfest, Open Artist Studio Tour, Safe Trick or Treat on Main Street, and Community Christmas Tree Lighting events; $5,000 to create a community map showcasing local businesses to visitors; and $3,000 for the Main Street Sidewalk Sale.
Ramona Pioneer Historical Society, which operates the Guy B. Woodward Museum at 645 Main St., sought $44,500 and received $20,000, the same as the previous year. The society will spend $17,500 for the museum secretary’s salary and $2,500 for general operating expenses.