COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

June 19 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 27, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

Authorization of the filing of reports to the Secretary of Resources of the State of California and designating an authorized representative.

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution authorizing:

A.

The filing of reports for State subventions on agricultural preserves.

B.

The designation of the holder of the office of Community Development Director, as the authorized representative.

VISION ALIGNMENT

Commitment: Number 6, “Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.”

Goal: Number 14, “Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship.” The filing of the State Subvention Report on Agricultural Preserves is a required part of the regulatory process associated with the establishment of agricultural preserves, and contributes to the commitment and goal by supporting the preservation of lands in agricultural use, or with the potential for agricultural use.

BACKGROUND

Annually, the County files a subvention report with the State that indicates which County lands are under agricultural preserve contracts. Those lands have a lower property tax assessment, consistent with their respective status as an agricultural preserve. The County is compensated for the reduced tax revenues by the State, which requires this report as part of the determination of the subvention due to the County.

DISCUSSION

This year, upon receiving the County’s Subvention Report, signed by the Director of Environmental Services, the State’s Secretary of Resources noted that they had no record of a San Mateo County resolution authorizing the Director of Environmental Services as the designated representative for the filing and signing of this report. The Secretary requires this authorization as part of the approval of our subvention filing.

The pending reorganization proposal for the Environmental Services Agency may ultimately change who is the designated representative. Given the pending reorganization, in order for the State to complete the processing of the County’s subvention request and release the funds due to the County, the County must confirm the current appropriate representative is the Community Development Director.

FISCAL IMPACT

This year’s State subventions report indicates that the County is due $57,909.48.

ATTACHMENT

A.

Resolution authorizing the filing of reports for State subventions on agricultural preserves and an authorized representative for that filing.