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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures to execute 10 revenue agreements for a net total of $1,342,921 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Authorize the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures to execute revenue contract amendments up to 15% over the approved contract amounts
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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, Solano County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, to sign 10 various revenue agreements for a net total of $1,342,921 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA); and
2) Authorize the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures to execute any revenue contract amendments, up to 15% over the approved amount, to these agreements on behalf of Solano County.
SUMMARY:
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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Today’s action will result in anticipated State reimbursement to the Department of up to $908,731 in FY2020/21. The Agriculture Department is currently performing these functions with receipt of agreements or under intent to contract. Anticipated revenues are included in the Department’s FY2020/21 Preliminary Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures 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 the State of California agreements. To obtain the revenue, Solano County enters into agreements with CDFA. These agreements are initially prepared by the State agency and then sent to the County for approval.
Funding for these agreements is also augmented in some program areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as pass through funding.
Listed below are the revenue agreements and anticipated annual funding:
1) High-Risk Pest Exclusion: FY2020/21 agreement for $143,056 to inspect high risk shipments such as fruit or foliage at ground and air freight facilities in order to prevent introduction of pests of concern into California.
2) Nursery Inspection Program: FY2020/21 agreement for $25,090 for annual nursery stock inspection and compliance assessment at producer/wholesale nursery locations within the county.
3) Light Brown Apple Moth Detection: FY2020/21 agreement for $8,400 to place and service insect detection traps for light brown apple moth, a pest of agricultural commodities.
4) Exotic Pest Detection: This is a two-year agreement for FY2020/21 and FY2021/22, totaling totaling $432,086 to place and service insect traps and continued implementation of the web based CalTrap program. CalTrap is a new statewide program being utilized to track the deployment, servicing and locations of insect traps used to detect insect pests of economic concern before they become established in California. Target pests include: Mediterranean fruit fly, Japanese beetle, gypsy moth, and others. Insect traps are placed throughout Solano County from April to October for early detection of these pests. Revenue from this contract will support the deployment of the traps, database updates to facilitate the online system, purchase of electronic tablets for staff to use in the field, regular inspections by agricultural staff, and submission of samples to CDFA.
5) Sudden Oak Death: FY2020/21 agreement for $211,526 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.
6) Asian Citrus Psyllid: FY2020/21 agreement for $36,979 to place and service pest detection traps for 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.
7) Pierce’s Disease Control Program: This is a two-year agreement for FY2020/21 and FY2021/22, totaling $319,221 for the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) program. GWSS is a leafhopper that vectors Pierce’s disease to grapevines. The disease pathogen is a bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, which clogs the xyella or sap movement in the plant, leading to decline and death of the host plant. A statewide management program has been established to prevent spread of the insect vector GWSS and is supported by the grape industry though a self-assessment program. Funds from this assessment are provided to the County through a CDFA contract.
8) European Grapevine Moth: This is a two-year agreement for FY2020/21 and FY2021/22, totaling $76,850 for European grapevine moth insect trapping. Detection trapping in previously infested areas to monitor for pest reintroduction.
9) BeeSafe Apiary Protection: FY2020/21 agreement for $59,541 to support pollinator bee protection efforts including beekeeper registration and hive location information necessary to help evaluate sensitive sites relating to pesticide applications and to assist with hive theft prevention.
10) Noxious Weed Management: FY2020/21 and FY2021/22 agreement totaling $30,172 for surveys and control of State-listed noxious weeds that are detrimental to agriculture and the environment.
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 $1,342,921 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