REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 12, 2023
FROM
BRADY GERGOVICH, Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer, Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures
SUBJECT
Title
Revenue Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus Regulatory Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve revenue agreement (State Agreement No. 23-0026-032-SF) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures to continue to provide quarantine response and regulatory enforcement activities for the Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus Regulatory Program, for a maximum reimbursement in the amount of $18,674.83, effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
(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 October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, for a maximum reimbursement of $18,674.83. Sufficient appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures (AWM) 2023-24 budget and will be included in the 2024-25 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This revenue agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention (CDFA, CPDP) will reimburse AWM for inspection and enforcement activities related to the Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus Regulatory Program for a maximum reimbursement of $18,674.83 from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
AWM currently performs inspections and enforcement activities related to the Asian Citrus Psyllid Federal Domestic Quarantine as permitted by Code of Federal Regulations § 301.76 and California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 4, Chapter 3, § 3435 at locations throughout San Bernardino County where citrus is grown, packed, or transported. Enforcement activities include performing regulatory inspections and record checks to ensure compliance with quarantine safeguarding measures and issuing Hold Notices, Notices of Rejection and Notices of Violation for non-compliant shipments of citrus fruit. The revenue agreement reimburses San Bernardino County for these enforcement activities.
CDFA, CPDP conducts community outreach to residents who reside within 350 meters of a Huanglongbing (HLB) disease detection zone. HLB is the disease that is vectored by the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Outreach includes monthly conference calls which provide information and control methods regarding the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Residents within the detection zone are notified of the conference calls via mail, at least one week in advance. The conference calls are mandated by CDFA, CPDP and have taken place since 2012. The conference calls will continue until CDFA, CPDP ends the mandate for these.
On July 11, 2017 (Item No. 5), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the initial revenue agreement with CDFA, CPDP to provide Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus quarantine response and regulatory enforcement activities at locations throughout San Bernardino County and a revenue agreement has since been renewed on a continual annual basis.
This revenue agreement aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives by working with other agencies with respect to performing inspections and enforcement activities related to the Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus Regulatory Program on the behalf of CDFA, CPDP and receiving reimbursement for the work performed.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 14, 2023; Finance (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on August 16, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) August 17, 2023.