REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 22, 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 the High Risk Pest Exclusion Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve revenue agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (State Agreement No. 24-0521-000-SG) to continue to provide inspection services related to the High Risk Pest Exclusion Program, for a maximum reimbursement of $147,656.09, for the period 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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The revenue agreement, for a maximum reimbursement of $147,656.09, will be funded by 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.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This revenue agreement with CDFA, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services/Pest Exclusion (PHPPS/Pest Exclusion) will reimburse AWM for performing inspection services related to the High Risk Pest Exclusion Program.
AWM currently performs inspection services related to the High Risk Pest Exclusion Program, which includes the enforcement of plant quarantines, inspection of packages at parcel carrier terminals and the phytosanitary certification of exports throughout San Bernardino County. If pests or disease symptoms are observed during inspections of plant, fruit or vegetable samples, the specimens are submitted to the CDFA Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory for identification. Upon confirmation of a pest or disease that is of economic importance and subject to state enforcement action involving eradication, quarantine containment, rejection or other holding action, the plants are returned to the shipper or destroyed by AWM staff. The goal of these inspections is to stop spread of plant pests, insects and diseases that pose a threat to the agricultural industry, California’s environment, and the economic well-being of the State.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) has approved revenue agreements with CDFA, PHPPS / Pest Exclusion for the High Risk Pest Exclusion program since 1999 to perform inspection services. The services include the enforcement of plant quarantines, inspection of packages at parcel carrier terminals and the phytosanitary certification of exports throughout San Bernardino County. A revenue agreement for these services has since been renewed annually.
On September 18, 2024, AWM received the State revenue agreement in the amount of $147,656.09 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 date available for presentation following the required operational, fiscal and legal reviews. Approval at this time will have no impact on work performed for the High Risk Pest Exclusion Program since July 1, 2024, as it will be reimbursed under this agreement.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Brett Davison, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 20, 2024; Finance (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on September 20, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) September 24, 2024.