Health district awarded $96,827 Community Enhancement grant

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a $96,827 Community Enhancement grant to the Fallbrook Regional Health District.

The supervisors approved the grant on a 4-0 vote April 4 with Nathan Fletcher absent. The health district will use the money primarily for coronavirus outreach and marketing materials, but a staff reception position and the South Brandon Road building's heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system will also be eligible uses for the grant funding.

Community Enhancement funds, which are for the most part generated from the Transient Occupancy Tax on lodging facility rooms, are intended to promote tourism including visitors from other parts of the county. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included $362 billion of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocations for eligible state, territorial, tribal, and local governments.

The funding addresses the public health emergency and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic and can be utilized for four eligible categories: mitigation of negative economic impacts, premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work, provision of government services lost revenue would have eliminated, and necessary infrastructure investments including water, sewer, and broadband.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors opted to augment Community Enhancement budgets which utilize general fund revenue with APRA funding which can assist non-profit organizations in providing essential services to county citizens.

Each county supervisor recommends the allocation of his or her Community Enhancement funds, although those allocations must be approved by a majority of the board. Supervisor Jim Desmond recommended the use of his District 5 ARPA funds for the Fallbrook Regional Health District grant.

The Fallbrook Regional Health District provides community wellness and health education services to more than 56,000 residents in Fallbrook, Bonsall, DeLuz, and Rainbow.