REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 23, 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 Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Services for the Standardization Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve revenue agreement (State Agreement No. 24-0069-000-SA) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures to continue to inspect fruits and vegetables at wholesale and packing facilities for the Standardization Program, on the behalf of the State, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, for a maximum reimbursement amount of $24,278.82.
(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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The revenue agreement specifies a term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, for a maximum reimbursement of $24,278.82. Sufficient appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures (AWM) 2024-25 budget. Services, per the revenue agreement, will be provided by existing AWM staff.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This revenue agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Inspection Services Division and Compliance / Standardization program (CDFA, Standardization), will reimburse AWM for performing inspection services related to fruit and vegetable quality and maturity at wholesale and packing facilities for CDFA, Standardization, for a maximum reimbursement of $24,278.82 retroactively effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
AWM will continue to perform fruit and vegetable quality and maturity standard inspections at production and wholesale locations to determine compliance with the California Food and Agriculture Code and the California Code of Regulations. Under the terms of this agreement, AWM will inspect, on a quarterly basis, wholesale produce businesses, grocery store warehouses and large volume vegetable producers for quality, grade and labeling requirements related to the sale of fruit and vegetables, rejecting substandard commodities. Fruit and vegetable inspections are an ongoing, State mandated service. However, this revenue agreement with CDFA, Standardization only provides supplemental funding for the ongoing inspections. CDFA only provides supplemental funding to counties for this program. The funding received from CDFA is based on actual inspection time, mileage, and overhead costs.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) first approved the initial revenue agreement with CDFA, Standardization on September 12, 2000 (Item No. 8), to provide inspection services at locations throughout the county and an agreement has since been renewed on a continual annual basis.
On June 19, 2024, AWM received the State revenue agreement No. 24-069-000-SA in the amount of $24,278.82 for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. This item is being presented to the Board at this time as this is the first available date 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 Standardization 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’s goals and objectives by working with other agencies with respect to performing fruit and vegetable inspections and related activities for the Standardization program on behalf of CDFA, Standardization 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 June 28, 2024; Finance (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on July 2, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on July 3, 2024.