COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Agriculture/Weights and Measures

DATE:

January 6, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 9, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Agreement (#09-0503) 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, 2009 through June 30, 2010 in an amount not to exceed $597,787

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, 2009 through June 30, 2010, in an amount not to exceed $597,787; and

B).

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing unanticipated revenue in the amount of $47,969 and increasing appropriations in High Risk Pest Exclusion inspection program operating costs ($47,969)

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 $597,787 as reimbursement for 8,788 personnel hours to be expended on HRPE activities. The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget includes $549,818 authorized by this Agreement. Additional revenue will be added to the Department’s budget by an ATR for motor vehicle annual replacement charges for vehicles used for HRPE and other agricultural programs. 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.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Memo, Resolution, and Agreement as to form and content. This contract is late because of delays at CDFA.

Approval of this Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of Environmentally Conscious Community 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. It is anticipated that 1,000 pests subject to State quarantine action will be intercepted during FY 2009-10.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

Number of interceptions of harmful pests subject to State quarantine actions

966

1,000

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The total Agreement amount is $597,787. A portion of this revenue ($549,818) is included in the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget. With the proposed ATR, unanticipated revenue of $47,969 will be placed in an expenditure account to support program motor vehicle operating costs. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement or ATR.