Title
Approve the expenditure of $10,000 from the Board of Supervisors (District 2) discretionary funds to reimburse the First Mayor’s House of Salinas City for essential operating costs previously funded by the City of Salinas. This support will allow the organization to remain open to the public and continue providing educational, cultural, and historical programming that preserves and showcases the community’s heritage.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve the expenditure of $10,000 from the Board of Supervisors (District 2) discretionary funds to reimburse the First Mayor’s House of Salinas City for essential operating costs previously funded by the City of Salinas. This support will allow the organization to remain open to the public and continue providing educational, cultural, and historical programming that preserves and showcases the community’s heritage.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The First Mayor’s House of Salinas City, also known as the Harvey-Baker House, is the oldest building in Salinas and serves as a history, art, and cultural center. The organization provides interactive educational programs for students, community exhibits, docent-led tours, and cultural events that deepen public understanding of local history.
Due to a lapse in City of Salinas funding, the First Mayor’s House requires temporary operating support to continue covering essential costs including insurance, utilities, security, and partial accounting services. These operational expenses are necessary for the organization to remain open, safe, and accessible for public use.
More than 1,000 elementary school students participate annually in hands-on field trips that teach 1870s-era life and westward expansion. The site also collaborates with local institutions, including CSU Monterey Bay, the Monterey County Office of Education, and community organizations, and relies on a dedicated team of volunteers to support its programs. Funding from the ...
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