Three Santa Monica City Council members will introduce a motion to evaluate how the city recognizes and funds community organizations, including neighborhood associations.
Councilmembers Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin and Mayor Pro Tempore Caroline Torosis plan to present the motion at the July 8 City Council meeting. The proposal calls for scheduling a study session by Sept. 30, 2025, to examine best practices in governance, public engagement and funding mechanisms.
The motion would temporarily suspend distribution of fiscal year 2025-2027 funds through the Neighborhood Association Grant Program, with exceptions for nonpartisan, community-building events hosted by 501(c)(3) organizations. The suspension would remain in effect pending a full review of the program's standards and impact.
Hall said the initiative aims to reform official city recognition and establish guidelines to prevent public funds from subsidizing partisan political activity.
"Critics will say this stifles free speech," Hall said. "I'd remind those folks that I once wrote a blank check up to and including my life to protect that right, and my voting record on the dais supports it. This is about ethical government."
Raskin emphasized the motion seeks to develop community consensus rather than silence civic engagement.
"I want to be clear that neighborhood associations play a critical role in shaping civic life in Santa Monica," Raskin said. "I support funding mechanisms that enable neighborhood associations to provide community-serving programs and outreach. But I also recognize the voices in our community that want to re-examine their governance."
Raskin said many community members have asked the council to reconsider the budget allocation to the Neighborhood Association Grant Program or eliminate it entirely.
Torosis said research into how other cities like Los Angeles and Chicago fund neighborhood and community councils revealed Santa Monica needs a transparent conversation about how its neighborhood associations operate and receive public support.
"We deeply value community voices—but we also have a responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used equitably and in line with our City's core values of inclusion, accountability, and public trust," Torosis said.
For more information, visit: https://www.smgov.net/departments/clerk/agendas.aspx.
Edited by SMDP Staff