| ITEM #: 11. DATE: 07/06/2026 AI #:3388 |
 |
CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MUNICIPAL SPONSORSHIP REQUEST FOR 2026 AK-CHIN PROP 202 FUNDING |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Christina Panaitescu, Community Partnerships Program Manager |
SUMMARY
Las Brisas Academy Parent Teacher Organization and Southwestern Institute for the Education of Native Americans desire to submit applications for Ak-Chin Indian Community Prop 202 12% Grant funding and have requested Goodyear to act as fiscal agent for the applicant. Through the grant program, applications are accepted from cities, towns, counties, and nonprofit organizations supported by a city, town, or county, seeking funding to support services that benefit the general public.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
.png) |
.png) |
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-2532 supporting the submission of 2026 grant applications by Las Brisas Academy Parent Teacher Organization and Southwestern Institute for the Education of Native Americans, to the Ak-Chin Indian Community and authorizing the City Manager, or their designee, to execute all documents relating to said applications, and to accept and administer subsequent awarded funds, and any amendments thereto, as a pass-through grant. (Christina Panaitescu, Community Partnerships Program Manager)
FISCAL IMPACT
As a municipal sponsor, the city will act as a financial conduit between the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the awarded organization and, as such, upon receipt of grant funds, the city will mail a check to the awarded organization covering one hundred percent (100%) of the funds received by the city for that purpose pursuant to the application submitted to the Ak-Chin Indian Community. If awarded, appropriate budget amendments will be completed at that time.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
In 2002, Arizona voters approved Proposition 202 adopting the standard Tribal/State Gaming Compact. Under Section 12, tribes contribute gaming revenues, with 88% deposited into the Arizona Benefits Fund to support statewide programs such as education and healthcare, and up to 12% distributed directly to local governments.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community will allocate its 2026 12% Contribution through the Prop 202 12% Grant Program, which accepts applications from cities, towns, counties, and nonprofit organizations supported by an eligible government (municipal sponsor) to fund services that benefit the general public, including education, public safety, health, environment, promotion of commerce, and economic and community development.
Goodyear's Municipal Sponsorship Policy, adopted by Council on December 7, 2020, supports local non-municipal public service organizations (e.g., public schools and fire districts) and IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations in pursuing Proposition 202 Indian Gaming Grants. To receive municipal sponsorship, an applicant must be legally tax-exempt under IRS rules, in good standing with the city, and be located in Goodyear or propose a project that directly serves Goodyear residents. Applications must align with tribal “public benefits” priorities with eligible activities including public safety, transportation, health care services, economic/community development, education, and environmental programs. Applications may not compete with a city-submitted application to the same tribal community during the same funding cycle. If these requirements are met, city staff will notify the applicant of the intent to serve as municipal sponsor, provide the required resolution (included as attachment A), and sign an application cover sheet (included as Attachment B) if required by the funder.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community will allocate its 2026 12% Contribution through the Prop 202 12% Grant Program, which accepts applications from cities, towns, counties, and nonprofit organizations supported by an eligible government (municipal sponsor) to fund services that benefit the general public, including education, public safety, health, environment, promotion of commerce, and economic and community development.
Goodyear's Municipal Sponsorship Policy, adopted by Council on December 7, 2020, supports local non-municipal public service organizations (e.g., public schools and fire districts) and IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations in pursuing Proposition 202 Indian Gaming Grants. To receive municipal sponsorship, an applicant must be legally tax-exempt under IRS rules, in good standing with the city, and be located in Goodyear or propose a project that directly serves Goodyear residents. Applications must align with tribal “public benefits” priorities with eligible activities including public safety, transportation, health care services, economic/community development, education, and environmental programs. Applications may not compete with a city-submitted application to the same tribal community during the same funding cycle. If these requirements are met, city staff will notify the applicant of the intent to serve as municipal sponsor, provide the required resolution (included as attachment A), and sign an application cover sheet (included as Attachment B) if required by the funder.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The following two non-profit organizations have requested Goodyear's municipal sponsorship:
The accompanying resolution states the city’s intent to accept any awarded grants as a pass-through, authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to accept and administer awarded funds and any amendments, and clarifies that once the city distributes funds to the sponsored recipient, the city is released from any claims, demands, debts, liabilities, or obligations arising from the recipient’s use of the funds, including any failure to expend the award in accordance with the application submitted to the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
All applications meet the city's criteria for municipal sponsorship and staff recommends approval of their sponsorship requests.
- Las Brisas Academy Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) desires to submit an education application requesting $150,000 for extracurricular improvements enabling students at Las Brisas Academy to enjoy amenities and extra programming at the school to improve their educational experience; and
- Southwestern Institute for the Education of Native Americans (SIENA) desires to submit an economic development application requesting $100,000 for an initiative to bring more Native-run businesses and nonprofits together to share practical experiences in Indian Country.
The accompanying resolution states the city’s intent to accept any awarded grants as a pass-through, authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to accept and administer awarded funds and any amendments, and clarifies that once the city distributes funds to the sponsored recipient, the city is released from any claims, demands, debts, liabilities, or obligations arising from the recipient’s use of the funds, including any failure to expend the award in accordance with the application submitted to the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
All applications meet the city's criteria for municipal sponsorship and staff recommends approval of their sponsorship requests.