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Adopt a resolution approving nine revenue agreements totaling $1,923,012 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Delegate authority to the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, with County Counsel concurrence, to execute these revenue contracts and any subsequent amendments up to 15% over the approved amount through June 30, 2026
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
1) Adopt a resolution approving nine revenue agreements totaling $1,923,012 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture; and
2) Delegate authority to the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, with County Counsel concurrence, to execute these revenue contracts and any subsequent amendments up to 15% over the approved amount through June 30, 2026.
SUMMARY:
The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures (Department) receives funding through State agencies, fees, and other contractual agreements to offset County costs. A major source of funding for agricultural and weights and measures programs are from revenue agreements with the State of California. Funding for these agreements is also augmented in some program areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as pass through funding. At the time the County enters into revenue agreements with CDFA, contract amounts are based on County submitted work plans sent to the State for consideration and approval and are not a guarantee of full reimbursement; therefore, final revenue contract amounts may vary from the original agreement total.
Agreements and contracts with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) entered into by the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures must be signed by the Chair of the Board of Supervisors or an authorized designee. The Board has historically given the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures authorization to execute these contracts, agreements, and associated amendments on behalf of Solano County through approval of a resolution. Authorizing the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures to executive these revenue agreements and amendments up to 15% over the approved amount will assist in the process to maintain sufficient funds in the Agriculture Department and will provide administrative efficiency.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The revenue contracts will result in anticipated State reimbursement to the Department of up to $1,895,912 in FY2024/25 with the balance available in FY2025/26. Anticipated revenues are included in the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department ’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures is requesting approval of the nine revenue agreements and anticipated annual funding listed below:
1) Exotic Pest Detection: $311,348 FY2024/25 agreement for early detection insect trapping of Mediterranean fruit fly, oriental fruit fly, melon fruit fly, Japanese beetle, and spongy moth pests.
2) High-Risk Pest Exclusion: $254,362 FY2024/25 agreement to inspect high-risk plant and agricultural shipments at ground and air freight facilities in order to prevent introduction of pests of concern into California.
3) Nursery Inspection and Enforcement: $33,615 FY2024/25 agreement for annual nursery stock inspection and compliance assessment at producer/wholesale nurseries.
4) Sudden Oak Death: $145,598 FY2024/25 agreement for inspection, testing, and certification of nursery stock to prevent movement of Phytophthora ramorum, the causal agent of sudden oak death, to non-infested areas of California.
5) Asian Citrus Psyllid: $94,016 FY2024/25 agreement for early detection insect trapping of Asian citrus psyllid, the insect vector of Huanglongbing disease, also known as citrus greening. The disease impairs the movement of nutrients in citrus plants resulting initially in uneven fruit ripening and eventually death of the tree.
6) European Grapevine Moth: $75,422 agreement spanning FY2024/25 and FY2025/26, ($55,422 in FY2024/25 and $20,000 in FY2025/26) for early detection insect trapping of European grapevine moth in previously infested areas to monitor for pest reintroduction.
7) Certified Farmers’ Markets: $9,850 FY2024/25 agreement to conduct certified farmers’ market and certified producer site inspections, investigations, and enforcement.
8) Pierce’s Disease: $984,601 FY2024/25 agreement for glassy-winged sharpshooter early detection trapping, incoming nursery stock inspections, and Vacaville infested area eradication activities.
9) Industrial Hemp: $14,200 agreement spanning FY2024/25 and FY2025/26, ($7,100 in FY2024/25 and $7,100 in FY2025/26) for registration and regulation of industrial hemp growers and cultivation. The Agriculture Department has not received any applications for industrial hemp cultivation since the Board of Supervisors adopted the county industrial hemp ordinance in 2020. This contract revenue will only be realized if a potential hemp grower acquires an industrial hemp cultivation permit with Resource Management and meets all other required conditions.
Executed agreements will be placed on file with the Clerk of the Board.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve one or more of the revenue agreements and/or direct staff to consider other options and return with new recommendations. However, this is not recommended as this would result in a potential loss of up to $1,923,012 in revenues that offset County costs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION