FPUD's Community Benefit Program sets Jan. 8 meeting date

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Public Utility District’s (FPUD) Community Benefit Program committee set Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, to reveal nonprofit organizations picked to qualify for local community improvement grants, Jim Mendelson, chairman of the committee, announced Dec. 20.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the FPUD offices, 990 E. Mission Road starting at 10 a.m. Mendelson explained that the public meeting will also be available to area residents via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89613951789?pwd=TVpIRnZQOG8xbWZuS1NpTkRyZlZDZz09

Meeting ID: 896 1395 1789

Audio Passcode: 651423

Lila Hargrove, chair of the working group that developed forms and procedures for the selection process, said that the Community Benefit Program committee received 15 project requests, 12 of which met broad criteria for funding from the $548,000 annual funding pool allocated for local tax-exempt organizations within the FPUD service area.

She said that among those organizations considered by the seven-person committee were The Fallbrook Beautification Alliance, which requested funds for maintenance of the South Mission Road median, and the Fallbrook Center for the Arts for installation of several pieces of sculpture art in the community.

Other organizations included the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society for lot improvements on Alvarado; the Fallbrook Land Conservancy for three projects in the FPUD service area; the Fallbrook Sports Association for improvements to Ingold Sports Park; and the Fallbrook Trails Council for a hiking bridge in the Santa Margarita River area.

The Fallbrook Village Association had three project requests, one of which was for maintenance of several parks in the community, another for enhancement to the Railroad Park on Main Avenue and upgrades to the downtown parking area. The Mission Resource Conservation District requested funds to remove invasive grasses.

According to Mendelson, following the January meeting, the Community Benefit Program’s recommendations on which groups and amounts requested will be referred to the FPUD board of directors for final comment and approvals.

Established by the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s Board of Directors in late 2022, the Community Benefit Program’s seven members meet on the second Monday of each month. The group has a framework for considering requests by FPUD-area nonprofit organizations seeking financial assistance for parks and recreation, street lighting and roads and other projects that benefit the community.

Funding proceeds are from existing San Diego County property tax revenues received by the utility. Jim Mendelson, (949-201-9967), [email protected], is the chair.

Submitted by the Community Benefit Program Committee.