COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

December 14, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 23, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Amendment to Agreement (#06-0185) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to provide Pest Exclusion Program Services for the term July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 increasing the amount by $124,484 to a revised amount not to exceed $405,807

RECOMMENDATION:

A.

Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of an Amendment to the Agreement (#06-0185) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to provide Pest Exclusion Program Services for the term July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 increasing the amount by $124,484 to a revised amount not to exceed $405,807;

B.

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) for unanticipated revenue and increased expenses in the amount of $124,484 for the implementation of expanded Pest Exclusion Program Services; and

C.

Adopt an ordinance amending the Salary Ordinance adding two Unclassified Biologist/Standards Specialist positions to assist with daily inspections.

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.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07
Target

Number of interceptions of harmful pests subject to state quarantine actions

834

1100

BACKGROUND:

The original FY 2006-07 Pest Exclusion Agreement, approved by the Board in August 2006 by Resolution # 068178, provides $281,323 for High Risk Pest Exclusion (HRPE) services for inspections of agricultural shipments at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and nursery stock truck shipments at wholesale nurseries.

DISCUSSION:

The Agricultural Commissioner will receive an additional $124,484 for a revised total amount of $405,807 as reimbursement for the costs associated with an additional 2,097 personnel hours expended on inspections at SFO and wholesale nurseries. The additional funding will partially reimburse the County for existing personnel costs associated with truck shipment inspections and will allow the Division to increase inspection hours at SFO to a more effective level. The amended agreement will reimburse the County for the cost of adding two unclassified Biologist/Standards Specialists who will assist with daily inspections from January through June 2007.

With the proposed Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR), unanticipated revenue of $124,484 will be placed in Salaries and Benefits and Other Charges. Salaries and Benefits will increase by $72,084 to cover the costs of both initial extra help and unclassified Biologist/Standards Specialist hours including associated benefits. The Division proposes to fund motor vehicle replacement charges for assigned county vehicles with the remaining $52,400. The Division has been unable to fund annual vehicle replacement charges for assigned vehicles in recent years.

The proposed Salary Ordinance amendment adds two unclassified Biologist/Standards Specialists positions. This amended Agreement and Resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement remains July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. This amended Agreement totaling $405,807 reimburses the County for pest exclusion expenses related to the HRPE program. The unanticipated revenue of $124,484 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.