Committee flags funding and review‑process limits as barrier to public art projects

Committee members said a lack of a dependable funding source and a diminished planning review staff have constrained the county's ability to implement public art projects. One member explained the county lacks mechanisms (such as a percent‑for‑art program) that other jurisdictions use to fund public art and noted the planning office’s staffing has been reduced since the strategy was developed.

Discussion referenced prior consultant work and draft review processes that remain available but inactive; one member offered to research county records and documentation to confirm whether the strategy had been formally rescinded. Another member suggested drafting a letter to the Board of Supervisors requesting staffing and resources to support implementation and to reengage planning staff.

On the committee's caution about overpromising, a member said they did not want community members to assume projects could move forward without funding or a formal review system. The group recommended using outreach data to demonstrate public interest and to support requests for staff capacity and funding from the Board of Supervisors or planning leadership.