REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 13, 2022
FROM
ANGELA GODWIN, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures
SUBJECT
Title
Revenue Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the Dog Detector Team Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve revenue agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (State Agreement No. 22-0923-006-SF) for the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures to continue to provide inspection services related to the Dog Detector Team Program retroactively from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, for a maximum reimbursement of $189,971.
(Presenter: Angela Godwin, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, 387-2117)
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, 2022 through June 30, 2023, for a maximum reimbursement of $189,971. Sufficient appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures (AWM) 2022-23 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This revenue agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will reimburse AWM for performing inspection services related to the Dog Detector Team Program for a maximum reimbursement of $189,971 from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
AWM currently has one dog team, made up of one handler and one dog that performs inspection services related to the Dog Detector Team Program. The dog team conducts pest surveillance inspections at parcel shipping centers located in San Bernardino County. The handler and dog are required to complete a ten-week training course facilitated by the United States Department of Agriculture. The dog is trained to detect the presence of plant material in unmarked parcels entering the State of California. After the dog alerts on a package, the package is opened, and the contents are inspected for pests or disease symptoms. If pests or disease symptoms are observed, the samples/specimens are submitted to the CDFA Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory for identification. Upon confirmation of a pest or disease that is of economic importance 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. These inspections deter the spread of plant pests, insects and diseases that pose a threat to California’s environment, the agricultural industry, and the economic well-being of the State.
On August 8, 2006 (Item No. 12), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the initial revenue agreement with CDFA for the Dog Detector Team Program to perform inspection services, including pest surveillance inspections at parcel shipping centers located in San Bernardino County using a dog to detect the presence of plant material in unmarked parcels entering the State of California. A revenue agreement for these services has since been renewed on an annual basis.
On August 9, 2022, AWM received the State revenue agreement in the amount of $189,971 for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. 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 Dog Detector Team Program since July 1, 2022, as it will be reimbursed under this agreement.
This revenue agreement aligns with the County and Chief Executive’s Officer’s goals and objectives by working with other agencies with respect to performing inspection services for the Dog Detector Team Program on the behalf of CDFA 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 16, 2022; Finance (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on August 16, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5453) on August 23, 2022.