title
Adopt a resolution approving seven revenue agreements and one first amendment to a revenue agreement, totaling $1,148,778 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Delegate authority to the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures to execute these revenue agreements and amendment and any subsequent amendments up to 15% over the approved amount through June 30, 2027
body
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 seven revenue agreements and one first amendment to a revenue agreement, totaling $1,148,778 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture; and
2) Delegate authority to the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures to execute these revenue agreements and amendment and any subsequent amendments up to 15% over the approved amount through June 30, 2027.
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 the California Department of Food and Agriculture (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 award and reimbursement; therefore, final revenue contract amounts, once received, may vary from the original agreement total.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The revenue contracts will result in anticipated State reimbursement to the Department of up to $1,148,778 in FY2025/26 and a portion of the Pierce’s Disease and Noxious Weed program work being reimbursed in FY2026/27 and FY2027/28. Anticipated revenues are included in the Department’s FY2025/26 Recommended Budget. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Revenue Agreements
Agreements and amendments with the 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 maintaining sufficient funds in the Agriculture Department and will provide administrative efficiency.
The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures is requesting approval of seven revenue agreements and one first amendment for anticipated annual funding listed below:
1) Exotic Pest Detection: $136,500 FY2025/26 agreement for early detection insect trapping of Mediterranean fruit fly, oriental fruit fly, melon fruit fly, Japanese beetle and spongy moth pests.
2) Nursery Inspection and Enforcement: $22,113 FY2025/26 agreement for annual nursery stock inspection and compliance assessment at producer/wholesale nurseries.
3) Sudden Oak Death: $91,782 FY2025/26 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.
4) Asian Citrus Psyllid: $42,000 FY2025/26 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.
5) European Grapevine Moth: $40,340 FY 2025/26 - agreement for early detection insect trapping of European grapevine moth in previously infested areas to monitor for pest reintroduction.
6) Certified Farmers’ Markets: $9,850 FY2025/26 agreement to conduct certified farmers’ market and certified producer site inspections, investigations and enforcement.
7) Pierce’s Disease: $751,002 agreement spanning FY2025/26 and FY 2026/27, for glassy-winged sharpshooter early detection trapping, incoming nursery stock inspections and Vacaville infested area eradication activities.
8) Noxious Weed Control: $55,190.50 amendment spanning FY2025/26, FY2026/27 and FY2027/28 to conduct visual surveys and eradication projects to prevent the spread of invasive noxious weeds. Approval of the original FY2023/24-FY2024/25 agreement of $42,412.50 was authorized by the Board on June 27, 2023. This amendment will bring the new agreement total to $97,603.
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 $1,148,778 in revenues that offset County costs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION