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Adopt a resolution authorizing Ed King, Agricultural Commissioners/Sealer of Weights and Measures, to sign and execute an amendment to the FY2020-22 Pierce’s Disease Control Program revenue agreement, adding $470,767, for a net total of $789,988 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Ratify approval of a purchase order totaling $121,247 for pest eradication treatment services within the increased revenues; and Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request recognizing revenues and expenditures totaling $470,767 (4/5 vote required)
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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 authorizing Ed King, Agricultural Commissioners/Sealer of Weights and Measures, to sign and execute an amendment to the FY2020-22 Pierce’s Disease Control Program revenue agreement, adding $470,767, for a net total of $789,988 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA);
2) Ratify approval of a purchase order totaling $121,247 for pest eradication treatment services within the increased revenues;
3) Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing revenues and expenditures totaling $470,767 (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
The Board is being asked to adopt a resolution authorizing Ed King, the Agricultural Commissioners/Sealer of Weights and Measures, to sign and execute an amended FY2020-22 Pierce’s Disease Control Program revenue agreement for a net total of $789,988.37 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The initial agreement totaled $319,221.16.
In response to the State disaster declaration, staff authorized a purchase order totaling $121,247 for pest eradication treatment services. The County’s Purchasing Policy allows for purchase order issuance and asks that staff bring this to the Board for ratification. In addition, staff is asking the Board to approve an ATR recognizing revenues from the amended CDFA agreement, totaling $470,767.21, as well as for expenditures totaling the same amount for payment of the purchase order, for reimbursement of staff time, and for supplies (4/5 Vote). The $470,767.21 appropriations increase includes expenditures for the purchase order approved under the disaster declaration, totaling $121,247 for pest eradication treatment services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Today’s action will result in State reimbursement to the Department of up to an additional $470,767.21 in FY2021/22 which will offset costs incurred in response to the Vacaville glassy-winged sharpshooter infestation.
DISCUSSION:
Agreements and contracts with 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.
In August 2020, the County entered into a two year $319,221.16 cooperative agreement with CDFA for local Pierce’s disease prevention activities including glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) detection trapping, incoming nursery stock inspections and, if necessary, GWSS eradication measures. Following detection of a GWSS infestation in Vacaville in October 2021, CDFA declared a proclamation of emergency and in February 2022 issued an amendment to the County’s current Pierce’s Disease Control Program cooperative agreement increasing the funding amount by $470,767.21, from $319,221.16 to $789,988.37. The additional funding will offset County expenses incurred in FY2021/22 in carrying out actions to eradicate the infestation including community outreach, surveys, hiring of limited-term project staff and pest control treatment costs.
In October 2021, an emergency purchase order in the amount of $64,219 was issued to a licensed pest control business to perform GWSS eradication treatments on infested and neighboring properties. Agriculture Department staff have since directed over 400 eradication treatments. In February 2022, the pest control purchase order was increased by $57,028 to total $121,247 to fund ongoing treatment work. All treatment costs are offset by the increased funding provided by CDFA through the cooperative agreement amendment. The department will conduct an RFP process to address ongoing eradication needs for FY2022/23 and include this work and anticipated revenues in the requested budget.
Emergency project expenditures and revenue reimbursement from the amendment were forecast in the Agriculture Department’s mid-year budget projections.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the attached resolution; however, this alternative is not recommended as this would result in a loss of up to $470,767.21 in revenues that offset County costs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel reviews and approves the agreements as to form. The County Administrator’s Office has reviewed this proposal and concurs with the recommendation. The California Department of Food and Agriculture supports this procedure for obtaining County approval for contracts and agreements.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION