COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Division

 

DATE:

August 9, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Environmental Services Agency Director

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Fiscal Year 2004-05 Pest Detection Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for Detection and Trapping of Mediterranean Fruit Fly and Other Economically Important Pests (#04-0438) in an Amount Not to Exceed $551,750.

 

Recommendation

Approve the resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for detection and trapping of Mediterranean fruit fly and other economically important pests in an amount not to exceed $551,750.

 

Background

On December 1, 1981, the Board approved the first Pest Detection trapping contract with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the contract has been renewed each year. The statewide insect trapping program protects the agricultural industry, home gardens and the environment by providing early detection of exotic pests that may be introduced into California.

 

Discussion

Under the FY 2004-05 contract, the Agricultural Commissioner will receive funding in the amount of $551,750 to place and monitor 658 Medfly traps (Medfly and Champ-Urban), 569 Mexican fruit fly traps, and a total of 2,196 other traps (Japanese beetle, gypsy moth, Oriental fruit fly, and melon fly). The insect traps are placed throughout the County on residential and rural properties and are serviced at regular intervals from April through November.

CDFA has revised the statewide trapping protocol for FY 2004-05; therefore, the contract workplan requires fewer trap placements and a shorter trapping season than in recent years. Insect traps will be deployed in April rather than March. The Division’s Recommended Level Budget included a reduction in the Full-time Equivalents (FTE) of five Pest Detection Specialist positions to reflect this change in trapping protocol for the FY 2004-05 contract.

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

 

Vision Alignment

The Pest Detection 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. The contract contributes to this commitment and goal by reimbursing the County for pest detection work activities that protect the agricultural industry and the environment from harmful exotic pests that may be introduced into California.

 

Fiscal Impact

This contract totaling $551,750 will reimburse the County for all expenses related to the state Pest Detection Program during FY 2004-05. The revenue authorized by this contractual agreement has already been included in the Division’s FY 2004-05 Recommended Level Budget. There is no net county cost associated with this contract.