COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Health Department
DATE:
BOARD MEETING DATE:					December 9, 2008
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:					None
VOTE REQUIRED:					Four-fifths vote
TO:			Honorable Board of Supervisors
FROM:			Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department
			Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
SUBJECT:			Agreement (#08-0580) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for high risk pest exclusion inspection services to prevent the introduction of economically important plant pests and diseases for the term of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 in an amount not to exceed $549,818.
RECOMMENDATION:
	A.	Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for high risk pest exclusion inspection services to prevent the introduction of economically important plant pests and diseases for the term of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, in an amount not to exceed $549,818;
	B.	Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing unanticipated revenue in the amount of $138,766 and increasing appropriations in High Risk Pest Exclusion inspection program services and other operating costs ($138,766); and
	C.	Adopt an Amendment to the Salary Ordinance adding one Unclassified Biologist/Standards Specialist position 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(s):
Measure				FY 2007-08 Actual		FY 2008-09 Projected
Number of interceptions of harmful pests subject to State quarantine actions				1,090		1,200
BACKGROUND:
In 1999, your Board approved the first Agreement with California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to initiate the High Risk Pest Exclusion (HRPE) Program. The Agreement has been renewed each year. HRPE program funding addresses the need for County plant inspection activities to prevent the introduction of exotic insects and diseases through identified high-risk pest pathways.
DISCUSSION:
The County will receive $549,818 as reimbursement for 8,491 personnel hours to be expended on HRPE activities. The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2008-09 budget includes $411,052 authorized by this Agreement. Additional revenue will be added to the Division’s budget by an ATR. Division staff will perform daily inspections of air freight shipments at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), nursery stock truck shipments at wholesale nurseries, and plant product shipments at parcel facilities.
The proposed Salary Ordinance amendment adds one unclassified Biologist/Standards Specialist position to perform additional inspection activities outlined in the contract. The position is unclassified because the salary and benefit costs will be supported entirely with new state contractual revenue. The Division has no Biologist/Standards Specialist position completely supported by County General Fund to redirect to new HRPE contract activities. Existing positions are funded by a combination of other state contract revenue, program fees and Unclaimed Gas Tax Subvention.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Memo, Resolution, Agreement, and ATR as to form and content. This contract is late because of delays in CDFA.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The total Agreement amount is $549,818. A portion of this revenue ($411,052) is included in the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget. With the proposed ATR, unanticipated revenue of $138,766 will be placed in various expenditure accounts including an appropriation to cover the costs of the additional Biologist/Standards Specialist. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement or ATR.