At the behest of Councilwoman Cerina Otero, the Ceres City Council expressed interest in reviving the dormant Ceres Community Foundation and appointing a board.

Established in 1994, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization allows the public to make tax deductible contributions to projects such as developing, cultural, historical, artistic, and parks and recreational facility.

“I believe there are many benefits to reestablishing the foundation and it gives our residents the opportunity to participate,” said Otero.

While bylaws are already in place, a foundation committee is needed to manage, review, and audit the funds to satisfy state requirements.

“Otherwise, it’s going to raise concerns about accountability and transparency when it comes to when it comes to these funds,” she added.

Otero said there is approximately $400,000 in the account.

Economic Development Director Julian Aguirre said the board only has two board members, which is the city’s finance director and the recreation manager. Finance Director Vanessa Portillo and she can re-establish the committee by appointing seven directors who would have a two-year term.

“The corporation has to be a standalone account, so it is separate from any funding from the city,” said Aguirre. “So this foundation is separate; it does not come to council.”

Foundation decisions will be determined by five directors.

“We thought the foundation was dead in the water, but after reviewing it, we found out that we were still active with the state department,” Aguirre noted. “So … the director of finance will have to call a meeting, and at that meeting we would have to be able to appoint or make recommendations to appoint individuals to this foundation.

Only city staff residing in Ceres can serve.

The city will advertise to ask citizens if they wish to serve on the foundation board.

Chamber President Brandy Meyer noted that some of the funds donated to the foundation were designated to paint or restore the Ceres water tower.

Otero said when the board is reestablished that for the sake of transparency, “maybe there’s a website or on the city website where all the financial documents, everything can be placed on there for the public to see.”