REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 08, 2024
FROM
DEREK ARMSTRONG, Director, Economic Development
SUBJECT
Title
Acceptance of Donation from Amazon for the 2024 State of the County Event
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize Economic Development to accept a donation, in the amount of $12,500, from Amazon to be used for the 2024 State of the County event costs.
(Presenter: Derek Armstrong, Director, 387-4386)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funds (Net County Cost). Appropriation and revenue associated with this donation will be used solely to offset the costs of the State of the County Event (Event). Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Economic Development’s (ED) 2024-25 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The annual Event has been hosted since 2011. This year, the Event took place on September 18, 2024. Each year, the Event brings together government, business and community leaders and provides a platform to promote the County vision, celebrate the growth within the County, and share upcoming opportunities.
A Request for Sponsors (RFS) is released annually to fundraise for this important Event. All proceeds from the fundraising are used to offset the Event costs.
On March 28, 2023 (Item No. 26), the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized ED to release the RFS for the Event. Beginning in April 2023, the RFS was publicized on the County and ED websites, through social media posts, via emails, calls to potential sponsors using Purchasing Department and ED contacts and a press release that was sent to news outlets within county Regions.
Following the RFS process, the ED Director assisted the Chief Executive Officer in evaluating and selecting the sponsors for the Event. Amazon expressed interest in sponsoring the Event at the Gold Sponsor level ($12,500) but requested to do it in the form of a donation rather than in a formal Sponsorship Agreement as their company policies do not allow for formal sponsorship contracts.
Per County Policy 06-01, Board approval is required to accept gifts or donations valued over $10,000.
It is recommended that the Board approve the donation, which will be fully allocated to this year’s Event production costs.
PROCUREMENT
NA
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-4355) on August 21, 2024; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on September 23, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on September 23, 2024.