Steering committee accepts DWR interim funding letter and sets 5% NOFA match requirement

The Oroville SBF steering committee reviewed a letter of understanding from the Department of Water Resources describing interim funding of $200,000 per year to the SPF until a permanent contract and license are signed. A staff member summarized the agreement and noted DWR had provided a letter of understanding in the meeting packet; the committee approved accepting the letter and authorized signatures. The motion to accept passed with a recorded vote of "Motion passes 3 yeses, 2 absent."

Committee members then discussed whether the forthcoming Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) should require matching funds. Staff summarized prior NOFA history: earlier NOFAs sometimes required matches (ranging from 25–50%) while a few recent rounds did not require matching. Several members argued small nonprofits would be disadvantaged by a high cash match and proposed allowing in-kind services to meet match requirements.

One committee member proposed a 5% minimum match, including in-kind services, and said, “I would be more inclined to, 5% with in kind services as a reasonable amount because … nonprofits don’t have a lot of cash in the bank.” Another committee member endorsed the flexible approach, noting the committee could accept cash or in-kind contributions as match. The committee moved, seconded and approved a minimum 5% match for the NOFA; the vote was recorded as "Motion passes 3 yeses 2 absent."

Staff told the group the next steps are to finalize signatures on the DWR letter, await the DWR contract, and then release the NOFA with the agreed matching requirement and outreach workshops. The committee also clarified that SBF grants are reimbursable — grantees must spend funds first and then seek reimbursement.

What happens next: Staff will return a signed letter of understanding to DWR, monitor for the DWR contract, and proceed with NOFA release and associated workshops under the 5% match requirement adopted by the committee.