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Becerra, Alexis <br /> From: victor@unitedartistsofsantaana.com <br /> Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 2:07 AM <br /> To: eComment <br /> Cc: Lopez, Jessie; Hernandez, Johnathan; Bacerra, Phil; Phan, Thai; Amezcua, Valerie; <br /> Vazquez, Benjamin; Penaloza, David; Le, Tram; !City Clerk <br /> Subject: eComment - City Council - Goal Setting - Increased Arts Funding <br /> -Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br /> Hello, City Council and Mayor, <br /> I am writing to recommend increased arts funding as a priority in the new city budget. <br /> While I wasn't able to to attend the January 23rd special meeting regarding City Council <br /> Goal Setting, I would like to present for your consideration the e-comment I submitted <br /> to the Arts Commission on January 15th regarding recommendations to increase arts <br /> funding, hire additional Arts & Culture Office staff, and also identifying several sources of <br /> funding to achieve this. <br /> Potential additional revenue sources to fund the arts budget include: <br /> • The Americans for the Arts' Arts and Economic Prosperity study identified that <br /> Santa Ana's non-profit arts sector contributes $54 million in spending, including <br /> $1,164,146 in direct local tax revenue, $2,461,189 in state tax revenue and <br /> $8,988,242 in federal tax revenue. This does not include for-profit arts businesses <br /> such as The Observatory and the Picture Show movie theater at Main Place Mall, <br /> or independent galleries, grassroots and community-based artists and <br /> organizations who make up the lion's share of Santa Ana's arts community. <br /> • Santa Ana Marijuana Tax revenue - When the marijuana tax was being discussed, <br /> arts funding was one of the proposed uses, but it was inexplicably removed at the <br /> last minute. Restoring funding from this program would provide significant <br /> revenue for the arts and culture program. <br /> • 1% for the Arts/Hotel Motel tax - this has been an ongoing recommendation that <br /> would contribute a significant source of revenue. <br /> • A voluntary Millage Fee that is sent out with utility bills. <br /> Another important goal for the City is to review the Arts Master Plan, which was <br /> approved in 2016, and examine which goals have not been met and dedicate resources <br /> to achieve them. <br /> Please read my comments to the Arts Commission below. <br /> Thank You, <br /> - Victor Payan <br /> i <br />