COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Division

 

DATE:

February 21, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 14, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-Fifths

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Environmental Services Agency Director

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Amendment to Agreement (#05-0291) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to Provide Pest Exclusion Program Services

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1.

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the execution of an Amendment to the Agreement (#05-0291) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to provide Pest Exclusion Program services increasing the amount by $51,680 to a revised amount not to exceed $369,384.51

   

2.

Authorize the transfer of $51,680 in unanticipated revenue to various accounts in Salaries and Benefits and Other Charges for implementation of expanded High Risk Pest Exclusion program services.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and Provide People Access to Our Natural Environment

Goal 14: Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship.

 

The agreement contributes to this commitment and goal 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.

 

BACKGROUND:

AB 2283, the legislation which authorized funding for the implementation of a statewide High Risk Pest Exclusion Program, was signed into law 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 1999, the Board approved the first contract with California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to initiate the High Risk Pest Exclusion (HRPE) Program. The Board approved full year contracts for fiscal years 1999-2000 through 2005-06. In FY 2004-05, CDFA cut HRPE contract funding to all county agricultural commissioners. The Division’s State HRPE revenue decreased by 82%. The FY 2005-06 agreement, approved by the Board in November 2005 (Resolution # 067624), included the reinstatement of $118,000 for a total of $229,643 for HRPE services specifically for agricultural shipment inspections at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

 

DISCUSSION:

The original FY 2005-06 Pest Exclusion Agreement provides the Agricultural Commissioner with $229,643 as reimbursement for the costs associated with HRPE inspection activities at SFO. Under the Amended Agreement, the Agricultural Commissioner will receive additional revenue of $51,680 as cost reimbursement specifically for 885 personnel hours expended for HRPE nursery stock truck shipment inspections. The additional funding will partially reimburse the County for existing costs associated with truck shipment inspections and will allow the Division to increase inspection hours to a more effective level through the use of an Extra Help Biologist from April through June. This agreement amendment increases the County’s reimbursement for services associated with the HRPE portion of this pest exclusion program agreement to $281,323. The amended contract for all Pest Exclusion program services will now total $369,384.51.

With the proposed Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR), unanticipated revenue of $51,680 will be placed in Salaries & Benefits and Other Charges. Salaries and Benefits will increase by $10,800 to cover the costs of the Biologist/Standards Specialist Extra Help hours including associated payroll taxes. Other Charges will increase by $40,880 for motor vehicle mileage and a one-time payment of replacement cost charges for agricultural program vehicles. The Division has been unable to fund annual vehicle replacement cost charges in recent years. This amended agreement and resolution has been reviewed by County Counsel.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

This amended contractual agreement totaling $369,384.51 includes an additional subvention of $51,680. The original Agreement, approved in November 2005, provided $317,704 in state revenue. The amended agreement reimburses the County for pest exclusion expenses related to the High Risk Pest Exclusion program ($281,323), Sudden Oak Death regulatory program ($80,000), Nursery Stock Inspection ($8,061) and Seed Services (apportioned statewide per FAC 52323-52352). The revenue authorized by the original FY 2005-06 agreement has already been included in the Division’s FY 2005-06 Environmental Protection Program Adopted Budget. The unanticipated revenue will be added to the Division’s Adopted Budget via the accompanying ATR. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement or the ATR.