County Counsel Statement On Bill Horn, Life Perspectives
The following is a statement from the county via County Counsel John Sansone.
Background
In May 2010, Life Perspectives, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, applied for a County Neighborhood Reinvestment Program (NRP) grant to underwrite its Life Walk 2010, a fundraising program. Life Perspectives' application to the County indicated the money raised through the fundraiser would be used to underwrite educational programs that empower students to make healthy choices, and that the educational programs are designed to equip students with critical thinking, goal setting, and decision-making skills.It is clear that the application, on its face, identified purposes and activities that serve public purposes and are appropriate for funding under the County's Neighborhood Reinvestment Program. Therefore, based upon the information in the application, the request from Life Perspectives was cleared to be presented to the Board for consideration. On June 29, 2010, the County Board of Supervisors approved a $20,000 NRP grant for Life Perspectives to fund its Life Walk 2010.Prior to the County entering into a Grant Agreement with Life Perspective and prior to the release of the $20,000 grant to Life Perspectives, questions were raised concerning whether Life Perspectives was planning to use the funds raised through the fundraiser for religious purposes or activities. The County placed a hold on the grant, and the Office of County Counsel initiated an in-depth review of Life Perspectives' programs and activities that would receive support from the funds raised by Life Perspectives' fundraiser. Finding
The Office of County Counsel has completed its review of this matter, and has found that one of Life Perspectives' education programs, which has as its goals to promote healthy choices, develop critical thinking, and make affirming choices that reflect the value of life, includes religious messages and content. In addition, it was noted that the County and Life Perspectives never reached the point of entering into a Grant Agreement with respect to the $20,000 NRP grant because the grant was placed on hold. Decision
Upon completion of his review, the County Counsel provided his findings and legal advice to the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer in connection with this matter. Because the County's Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grants, which are public funds, cannot be used for religious purposes or be used to raise funds to support religious purposes, and because the County and Life Perspectives never reached the point of entering into a Grant Agreement with respect to the grant, the Chief Administrative Officer has cancelled the processing of the $20,000 NRP grant for Life Perspectives.With respect to NRP grants provided to Life Perspectives in the three prior years, the County continues to evaluate what action, if any, can be taken regarding the past grants and will need to advise the Board of Supervisors on this.
In May 2010, Life Perspectives, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, applied for a County Neighborhood Reinvestment Program (NRP) grant to underwrite its Life Walk 2010, a fundraising program. Life Perspectives' application to the County indicated the money raised through the fundraiser would be used to underwrite educational programs that empower students to make healthy choices, and that the educational programs are designed to equip students with critical thinking, goal setting, and decision-making skills.It is clear that the application, on its face, identified purposes and activities that serve public purposes and are appropriate for funding under the County's Neighborhood Reinvestment Program. Therefore, based upon the information in the application, the request from Life Perspectives was cleared to be presented to the Board for consideration. On June 29, 2010, the County Board of Supervisors approved a $20,000 NRP grant for Life Perspectives to fund its Life Walk 2010.Prior to the County entering into a Grant Agreement with Life Perspective and prior to the release of the $20,000 grant to Life Perspectives, questions were raised concerning whether Life Perspectives was planning to use the funds raised through the fundraiser for religious purposes or activities. The County placed a hold on the grant, and the Office of County Counsel initiated an in-depth review of Life Perspectives' programs and activities that would receive support from the funds raised by Life Perspectives' fundraiser. Finding
The Office of County Counsel has completed its review of this matter, and has found that one of Life Perspectives' education programs, which has as its goals to promote healthy choices, develop critical thinking, and make affirming choices that reflect the value of life, includes religious messages and content. In addition, it was noted that the County and Life Perspectives never reached the point of entering into a Grant Agreement with respect to the $20,000 NRP grant because the grant was placed on hold. Decision
Upon completion of his review, the County Counsel provided his findings and legal advice to the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer in connection with this matter. Because the County's Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grants, which are public funds, cannot be used for religious purposes or be used to raise funds to support religious purposes, and because the County and Life Perspectives never reached the point of entering into a Grant Agreement with respect to the grant, the Chief Administrative Officer has cancelled the processing of the $20,000 NRP grant for Life Perspectives.With respect to NRP grants provided to Life Perspectives in the three prior years, the County continues to evaluate what action, if any, can be taken regarding the past grants and will need to advise the Board of Supervisors on this.
