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Becerra, Alexis <br /> From: Victor Payan <vpayan@alumni.stanford.edu> <br /> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 8:24 PM <br /> To: eComment <br /> Cc: !City Clerk; Mills, Susan; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil; Hernandez, <br /> Johnathan; Phan, Thai; Penaloza, David; Amezcua, Valerie; amorris@santa-ana.gov; <br /> ycruz@santa-ana.com <br /> Subject: Santa Ana Clty Council Public Comment: Agenda Item 24, Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget <br /> Work Study Session. <br /> Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br /> Hello, Mayor Amezcua and City Council, <br /> am writing to comment regarding Agenda Item 24, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget <br /> Work Study Session. <br /> Please increase arts funding to match the contributions of Santa Ana arts sector to the <br /> local economy and tax base. The City's arts program has grown exponentially since it <br /> started 10 years ago, but the budget has not been increased to match its critical and <br /> transformative service to the community and residents. We need funding to hire a <br /> second staffer so the City can increase service and help the arts sector generate more <br /> money from the city. <br /> According to the Americans for the Arts' Arts & Economic Prosperity study, in which <br /> Santa Ana participated, the non-profit arts sector contributes $54 million to the <br /> economy. This includes $44 million in income paid to local workers, $1 .16 million in <br /> local taxes and $2.46 million in state taxes. <br /> Only a small percentage of non-profits filled out the survey, and the survey did not <br /> include for-profit arts businesses, music venues like the Observatory, parking revenue, <br /> restaurants or bars supported by patrons to arts events. <br /> The amount of money spent in Santa Ana by every person attending a non-profit arts <br /> event is $30 for locals and $45 for out of town attendees. <br /> So, the direct multiplier benefit to Santa Ana taxes from arts related businesses is likely <br /> more than $4 million a year. <br /> Arts funding also supports programs for youth and adults that make them better <br /> citizens, increase their quality of life and employability via new skills, and also reduces <br /> crime. <br />