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Consider approving an Interlocal Agreement between Solano County, the Regents of the University of California (UC), Sacramento County, and Yolo County for a multi-county partnership for the provision of the UC Cooperative Extension Program for the term July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029 including an amount not to exceed $345,000 to the UC for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator and UC Cooperative Extension recommend that the Board of Supervisors consider approving an Interlocal Agreement between Solano County, the Regents of the University of California (UC), Sacramento County, and Yolo County for a multi-county partnership for the provision of the UC Cooperative Extension Program for the term July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029 including an amount not to exceed $345,000 to the UC for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
History of the Interlocal Agreement in Solano County
On April 8, 2014, the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved an initial 5-year Interlocal Agreement (IA) between the Regents of the University of California (UC), Sacramento County, Solano County and Yolo County for a multi-county partnership for the provision of the UC Cooperative Extension Program (UCCE) for the term of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019. The agreement created the Capitol Corridor Multi-County Partnership (MCP) operational model and enhanced efficiencies and reduced expenses through cost-sharing for administration of county-based UCCE programs.
Through the agreement, the UC provides programs and services to Solano County residents, including, and not limited to agriculturally based programming, 4-H youth development programs, Master Gardeners and the Master Food Preserver program. On June 4, 2019, the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a second 5-year IA between the UC, Sacramento County, Solano County and Yolo County for a multi-county partnership for the provision of the UCCE for the term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024.
Today, the Board is being asked to consider approving a third 5-year IA between the UC, Sacramento County, Solano County and Yolo County for a multi-county partnership for the provision of the UCCE for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029 (Attachment A), including an amount not to exceed $345,000 to the UC for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved the 5-year IA with the UCCE. On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors will consider approval of the 5-year IA with the UCCE. Once approved by the three County Boards, the IA will be effective July 1, 2024.
History of the UC Cooperative Extension Program
In 1913, Congress established Cooperative Extension (formerly known as the Agricultural Extension Service) through the Smith-Lever Act. This legislation established a three-way cooperative effort for the USDA, the State Land-Grant University System and local governments to extend research-based information, education, and technology to the people through Cooperative Extension offices in almost every county in the nation. Three land-grant universities, UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UC Riverside are part of the Cooperative Extension network in California. Initially rural and dominantly agriculturally oriented, Cooperative Extension together with the UC, have been responsible for most production technologies passed on to growers and has made agriculture a strong economic base in California and Solano County. UCCE is also responsible for the management of the 4-H Youth Development program, the Master Gardener program, the Master Food Preserves program, and many other educational programs of value to the local population.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
UCCE is primarily funded through the General Fund. The annual agreement of support provides for an amount not to exceed $345,000 from each county to the UC for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Payment is made in two installments, July 31, 2024 and January 30, 2025, with the accounting for actual costs reconciled at fiscal year-end. In addition, the Solano County in-kind contribution is estimated at $59,224 for FY2024/25. The in-kind contribution is to support such things as a facility to house program operations, custodial and grounds keeping services, telephones, internet, print services and liability/property insurance.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the IA; however, this is not recommended as the MCP model will enable UC to enhance program delivery to Solano County citizens.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The original agreement was negotiated between the UC and the County Administrator’s Offices and County Counsel Offices for the Counties of Sacramento, Solano and Yolo.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION