Chamber, historical society seek TOT money

By JOE NAIMAN

Ramona Chamber of Commerce and Ramona Pioneer Historical Society are among 285 groups applying for Community Enhancement money from the County of San Diego for 2012-13.

The total requests of $8.4 million include $86,150 from the two Ramona organizations.

Each county supervisor has a $500,000 Community Enhancement budget and will decide how much of his or her budget will go to each group seeking funds. Although Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue that funds the Community Enhancement program comes only from lodging facilities in the unincorporated portion of the county, organizations in incorporated cities are also eligible for funding.

Many groups made pleas for money during a June 11-12 San Diego County Board of Supervisors hearing. The supervisors will begin deliberations on the county’s 2012-13 budget, including the Community Enhancement allocations, on June 26. The 2012-13 budget year begins July 1.

Most organizations will receive less than the amount requested. Grants are not based on the previous year’s allocation, and there are no adverse consequences of asking for more money than will be granted.

Each county supervisor also has a $1 million discretionary Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget, so some Community Enhancement requests can be fulfilled from that source.

Last year Ramona Chamber of Commerce requested $61,000 and received $42,000. This year the chamber has requested $65,500, saying it would spend $50,000 for the open artist studio tour, Ramona Country Fair, Merchants Safe Trick or Treat, Fall Festival, Horseshoe Tournament, Installation Dinner, Holiday Tree Lighting, and 4th of July community events; $15,000 for overhead and operating expenses; and $500 to update new businesses and historical sites in the Ramona Guide.

Ramona Pioneer Historical Society, which operates the Guy B. Woodward Museum at 645 Main St., received $15,000 of its $25,000 request for 2011-12. If the 2012-13 request amount of $20,650 is granted in full, $19,200 would pay for operations director expenses while $1,450 would cover operations and maintenance.