South Lake Tahoe, CA…On Tuesday, May 18th, the City Council passed a resolution to allocate $200,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe for building completion. Staff recommendation was initially $100,000, however based on input from the community and City Council and the needs of the community, the amount was increased to $200,000. “Utilizing the Community Benefit Fee in this manner is completely appropriate and I am grateful to see the community coming together to invest in such an important community asset,” said City Manager Joe Irvin. This was a welcomed surprise to the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club Jude Wood as she expressed her gratitude to everyone throughout the meeting and once the motion was passed.

Mayor Wallace also acknowledged her appreciation of the Boys and Girls Club and Executive Director, Jude Wood. “We are so blessed to have the Boys and Girls Club and Jude Wood in our community. The Boys and Girls Club kept our community running during a global pandemic as it allowed many parents to go back to work. Some people even in this meeting today can attest to this. My own children, along with many others have attended the Boys and Girls Club and have gone on to do incredible things in our community. I so look forward to seeing what the kids who are there now, and will be the recipients of this amazing building, go on to do in our community.”

In the meeting, City Manager, Joe Irvin, also discussed establishing a policy for the future distribution of Community Benefit Fee revenue. This policy would include how funds are allocated in future years with 50% of the previous year’s revenue going to local schools, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations for programs or projects. To be eligible for this allocation, projects must meet and/or enhance community needs and benefit a large cross section of residents having a direct correlation to resident services and enhancement in the areas of recreation, economic development, support services and the environment. Mayor Pro Tem Middlebrook also addressed the desire to establish the community benefit grant program sooner than the City’s mid-year budget in 2022 to assist with other immediate needs in the community. City Manager, Joe Irvin informed Council that he and the City’s Finance Department would work the develop the program in an expedited manner.
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