|
the-ground or proposed resources, and services, providing a streamlined framework for easy
<br />navigation, reduced out-of-pocket expenses, and overall increased cost effectiveness for both
<br />participants and the program overall. The focus of the program will be to create region-wide (or
<br />county-wide, where appropriate) cooperative project design, implementation, marketing, and
<br />coordination to maximize economies of scale, take advantage of overlapping markets, and
<br />ultimately allow each dollar to go further to benefit all parties.
<br />Financina Costs and Fees
<br />A. Financing Costs
<br />As Program Administrator of the California Communities CaliforniaFIRST Program, Renewable
<br />Funding will coordinate and provide program administration, financing, and legal services to
<br />support a robust statewide municipal financing program. Specific financing costs are concentrated
<br />at the start of the program and result in increased fees to a program participant, and therefore a
<br />higher effective interest rate. In order to lower the interest rate, the SEP funds will be used to
<br />cover bond disclosure counsel, bond rating fees, and a bond fiscal agent. In addition, a direct
<br />interest rate buy-down will be employed to achieve a bond rate that is equivalent to an A-rated
<br />bond, which is likely to be the bond rating later in the program.
<br />B. Set-up Fees
<br />A funding request equivalent to the city and county set-up fees will be included in the proposal.
<br />The costs for initial legal work and validation proceedings will be covered by this request.
<br />Additionally, the costs of establishing county web portals, importing local assessor's data, and
<br />maintaining the website will be part of this funding request.
<br />Suaaested Maior Marketina Proaram Coordination &Marketina Proaram Elements
<br />A. Agency Coordination /Steering Committee Participation
<br />In recognition of the additional coordination time required to get new programs off the ground,
<br />individual counties may elect to include a modest amount of staff time for agency representatives
<br />to participate in the program steering committee and other activities to drive marketing program
<br />design, educational/marketing material development, form and protocol development, etc. By
<br />investing this time at the onset, we are able to develop aself-sustaining program for the long
<br />term. County agencies (that is, auditor/tax collector/controller) will receive a small percentage,
<br />incorporated into each loan, to cover regular ongoing program administration costs associated with
<br />maintaining the tax roll and collecting annual assessments in years beyond the grant term. Some
<br />jurisdictions may instead wish to contribute this time as project leveraged funds/resources to
<br />increase overall program cost effectiveness based on their individual needs and resources.
<br />Regional partnership may also elect to use a portion of the resources from this program element
<br />toward informal or formalized staff/personnel training within their jurisdictions.
<br />B. Education /Outreach/ Marketing
<br />Successful program adoption requires thoughtful design, convenient procedures, and a robust
<br />program education component to encourage and energize program participation. Achieving this
<br />goal, the project team will create clear, consistent, and thematic program branding imagery,
<br />educational and recruitment tools such as program brochures. The program will be supported by
<br />the CaliforniaFIRST web portal and links to new and existing partner and complementary websites,
<br />frequently asked questions, applications, and/or other program materials. In addition, the project
<br />will engage awide-stretching network of partners to promote, recruit, and disseminate program
<br />information utilizing existing mechanisms of door-to-door outreach, community event tabling,
<br />workshops and presentations, or other appropriate energy efficiency and complementary program
<br />participation activities. Major elements might include:
<br />/ Outreach Promotional Materials: Brochures, Door-hangers, Postcard Mailers, Bill Inserts, etc.
<br />/ Program Marketing Advertisements: Print Ads, Radio/TV Ads, PSA Production
<br />/ Promotional Outreach Events, Trade Shows or Community Workshops
<br />/ Homeowner/Business/Contractor/Staff Training Seminars
<br />/ Sustainability Site Signage
<br />2
<br />
|