SEVERAL MARIPOSA COUNTY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ACCEPTED A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ PROCLAMATION FOR PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY. THEY ARE, FROM LEFT, ELISSIE NIELSON, OLGA LEONARD, MARIA WOLF, ELENA TAYLOR AND MARIE PRETZER. BOARD CHAIRMAN KEVIN CANN, FAR LEFT, PRESENTED THE PROCLAMATION. PHOTO COURTESY OF LCCPC COORDINATOR AMBER CHAMBERS The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a $1 million loan to the Mariposa County Unified School District. The district had requested the loan because it anticipates a cash shortfall by late summer because of the state’s budget disaster.

The state constitution provides that it is the duty of any county treasurer to make such temporary transfers. Mariposa County Treasurer Keith Williams said the money comes from the County’s entire investment pool, which currently has a balance of about $33 million. He explained to the board that this is a short-term loan that will be repaid with interest.

“It’s just a temporary loan until (the school district) receives funds from the state or the property tax apportionment,” Williams said. “It’s just revenue that they are anticipating in 2010-11.”

Williams said this is the first time the district has borrowed directly from the county. In the past, it has taken out a Tax Revenue Anticipation Note (TRAN) loan from an outside financial agency. Because the district has filed a negative budget certification with the state, it is not eligible for such funding now.

Still, Williams said that the County treasurer loaning a school district money is not uncommon. “This is done across the state,” he said. “It’s a common practice.”

The County is not in any jeopardy of the district defaulting on the loan. The state funds come directly to the County to repay the obligation before any other obligations are met, according to County Counsel Steve Dahlem.

The board had a relatively light agenda on Tuesday, spending a good deal of time issuing proclamations recognizing a number of community groups.

Supervisors proclaimed May as “Mental Health Month.” Board Chairman Kevin Cann said he was “very proud of the success” the human services department and mental health board have fostered in this county. National Mental Health Month encourages local communities to focus on mental health initiatives to promote positive development, resilience, recovery and the transformation of mental health services delivery.

The board also proclaimed May 10 through 16 as “Mariposa County Relay for Life Week.” The annual Relay for Life event takes place May 15 and 16. The event is expected to raise over $80,000 toward research, advocacy, education, and service in the fight against cancer. The weekend walk has become one of Mariposa County’s biggest events.

Supervisors noted National Military Appreciation Month, as well. Supervisor Jim Allen commented on the proclamation. “We owe so much to our military for the freedoms we enjoy each day,” he said. Cann agreed. “It is a very great honor for our board to recognize this month,” he said.

Andrea Summerlin, who accepted the proclamation along with VFW Commander Ron Wollak, said there is currently a display at the Mariposa County Library commemorating the month. She said letters and cards of appreciation to the military could be dropped off there and will be delivered to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. this summer.

Finally, the board marked May 7 as “Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.” Cann presented the procamation to a number of providers and some of their young charges. Supervisor Janet Bibby commented to the group. “We can’t express how much we depend on you.”

The proclamation states that the “future depends on the quality of the early childhood experiences provided to young children today.” It continues, “High quality early child care services represent an invaluable commitment to our children’s future.”