San Mateo County staff are evaluating 315 applications seeking Measure K sales tax funds as part of a community-based process to match the Board of Supervisors’ priorities in three critical areas: children, families and seniors; emergency preparedness; and housing and homelessness.
The County published a Funding Opportunity Notice requesting proposals in November 2023 and the application window closed last Friday, January 5. County staff worked over the weekend to process applications so that evaluation can begin this week.
Applications total $750 million over three years. The first year of applications alone totals more than $251 million. That's more than seven times the $35 million to $37 million available annually in the county, meaning the money available can only cover 14 percent of applications.
“We asked for bold and innovative ideas to serve our residents and I am confident that this important applicant pool is full of them. But frankly, the requests far outstrip the funding we have available,” said the county executive, Mike Callagy.
“Evaluation committees will review each application thoroughly and carefully to ensure that funds are allocated to those projects that provide the greatest good to the largest portion of the county and to the most vulnerable,” he added.
Of the 315 applications received, 232 are for children, families, and seniors services ($158.8 million in first-year applications); 28 address emergency preparedness ($19 million in first-year applications); and 55 address housing and homelessness ($73.4 million in first-year applications).
The county said in a statement that the review committees are not required to recommend equal funding to the board in each priority area.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to hear funding recommendations in March 2024 and contracts are expected to begin July 1, 2024.
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