COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Division

 

DATE:

June 4, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 29, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Environmental Services Agency Director

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Fiscal Year 2004-05 Contractual Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to Perform Pest Exclusion Inspection Services (#04-0314) in an Amount not to Exceed $111,212.96

 

Recommendation

Adopt the resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for pest exclusion inspection services to prevent the introduction of economically important plant pests and diseases in an amount not to exceed $111,212.96.

 

Background

AB 2283, the legislation which authorized funding for the implementation of a statewide High Risk Pest Exclusion Program, was signed into law by Governor Wilson in September 1998. This legislation addressed the need for augmentation of county plant inspection activities to prevent the introduction of exotic insects and diseases through identified high-risk pest pathways. In January 1999, the Board approved a partial year contract to initiate the High Risk Pest Exclusion (HRPE) Program. The Board approved full year contracts for fiscal years 1999-2000 through 2003-04.

In FY 2002-03, San Mateo County led the state with over 2100 significant pest interceptions requiring quarantine action including red imported fire ant and produce containing Oriental fruit fly and Caribbean fruit fly larvae. In the year prior to implementation of the state contractual program, San Mateo County had 63 pest interceptions.

 

Discussion

Under the FY 2004-05 contract, the Agricultural Commissioner will receive funding in the amount of $111,212.96 as reimbursement for the costs associated with 2,083 personnel hours to be expended on high-risk pest exclusion activities. This contract amount represents an 82% reduction in the level of funding compared to the FY 2003-04 contract. Weekend agricultural inspections at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will be eliminated and personnel hours devoted to SFO weekday inspections, Federal Express facilities and truck shipments of potted plants to retail and wholesale nurseries will be reduced. Agricultural shipments arriving at SFO destined to other counties will be forwarded for inspection at the destination county.

The revenue authorized by this contractual agreement has already been included in the Division’s FY 2004-05 Recommended Level Budget. County Counsel has reviewed this contract.

 

Vision Alignment

The High Risk Pest Exclusion Program state contract with the California Department of Food and Agriculture keeps the commitment of Preserve and Provide People Access to Our Natural Environment and goal number 14: Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship. It also keeps the commitment of Sow the Seeds of Our Future Prosperity and goal number 18: San Mateo County attracts and maintains leading edge industries. The contract contributes to these commitments and goals by reimbursing the County for pest exclusion work activities that protect the agricultural industry and the environment from harmful exotic pests that may be introduced into California.

 

Fiscal Impact

There is no Net County Cost associated with this contract. The funding available under this contractual agreement for FY 2004-05 will be $111,212.96. CDFA will reimburse the County up to $111,212.96 for all direct and indirect costs associated with the 2,083 personnel hours outlined in this High Risk Pest Exclusion contractual agreement including salaries, benefits, services and supplies, administrative/clerical support and A-87 overhead. There is no Net County Cost associated with this contractual agreement.