REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 6, 2024
FROM
BRADY GERGOVICH, Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer, Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures
SUBJECT
Title
Revenue Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for Inspections for the Certified Farmers Market Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve revenue agreement (State Agreement No. 24-0038-000-SA) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, to perform inspections for the Certified Farmers Market program, for a maximum reimbursement amount of $6,044, for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
(Presenter: Brady Gergovich, Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer, 387-2115)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The revenue agreement specifies a term from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, for a maximum reimbursement of $6,044 from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Sufficient appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures (AWM) 2024-25 budget. Per the revenue agreement, services will be fulfilled by existing AWM staff.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This revenue agreement with the CDFA, Inspection Services Division and Compliance Branch (Inspection & Compliance) will reimburse AWM for performing inspection and enforcement services related to the Certified Farmers Market (CFM) program.
AWM will continue to conduct enforcement inspections at Certified Farmers Markets and Certified Producers production sites. These market and producer site inspections and investigations will be in addition to the normal farmers market and producer inspections performed under State mandate. Inspection activities will be conducted when requested by the State and will include follow-up inspections, program administration and investigations relating to enforcement and market inspections performed, in addition to the minimum required by law.
CDFA, Inspection & Compliance forwards complaints regarding the sale of items not produced at the Certified Producer’s growing grounds for AWM investigation, which is completed through site visits of the Certified Producer’s grounds. When an investigation is necessary, the CDFA, Inspection & Compliance will assist in the coordination of the inspections and will assign a case number for tracking and billing purposes.
AWM has collaborated with CDFA, Inspection & Compliance since 2015 to provide inspection services at market and producer growing locations throughout the county and agreements have since been renewed on an annual basis.
On July 2, 2024, AWM received the State revenue agreement in the amount of $6,044 for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. This item is being presented to the Board of Supervisors at this time as this is the first date available for presentation following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval at this time will have no impact on the work that has been performed for the CFM program, as work performed since July 1, 2024 will be reimbursed under this agreement.
This revenue agreement aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer goals and objectives to pursue County goals and objectives by working with other agencies with respect to performing inspections and enforcement related activities for the CFM program on the behalf of CDFA, Inspections & Compliance, and receiving reimbursement for the work performed.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Brett Davison, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 5, 2024; Finance (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on July 8, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on July 10, 2024.