Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Koren J. Widdel, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the Pest Detection Trapping Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an amendment to the agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA”) for the detection and trapping of regulated insect pests that can significantly affect agricultural crops and the environment, for FY 2024-25, to increase CDFA’s maximum reimbursement amount by $55,050 for a for a new total amount not to exceed $733,752; and
B) The County Agricultural Commissioner to execute additional amendments to the agreement with the CDFA which modify the State’s maximum reimbursement by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate) and/or modify the agreement term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provision, and provided no such amendment would require the expenditure or commitment of County funds.
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BACKGROUND:
On or about October 22, 2024, this Board, through Resolution No. 080702, authorized an Agreement #24-0132-034-SF (the “Agreement”) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA”) to fund the insect Pest Detection Trapping Program, a program which has been operating since 1981. The statewide insect pest detection trapping program protects the agricultural industry, home gardens, and the environment by providing early detection of exotic state regulated pests that may be introduced into California.
San Mateo County pest detection program staff place and monitor 543 Mediterranean fruit fly traps, and 2,376 other pest traps per year (e.g. Japanese beetle, Spongy moth, Oriental fruit fly, and Melon fly). The insect traps are placed throughout the County on residential and rural properties and are serviced at regular intervals from April through November. In the past five years, Pest Detection staff have intercepted Oriental fruit flies, which resulted in delimitation surveys where it was determined there was not a breeding population.
The original Agreement provides that CDFA will reimburse the County up to $678,702 for personnel hours expended on the Pest Detection Trapping Program activities during FY 2024-25.
DISCUSSION:
CDFA and the County Agricultural Commissioner desire to increase the State’s maximum reimbursement as set forth in the Agreement by $55,050 for a new total amount not to exceed $733,752. These additional funds will specifically allow San Mateo County pest detection program staff to perform data cleanup in the new CalTrap mapping program by adding approximately 640 additional hours of Pest Detection Trapping Program activities during FY 2024-25. These efforts will help the program run more efficiently during the active trapping season.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and amendment as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2023-24 Actual |
FY 2024-25 Projected |
|
Percent of data converted in CalTrap mapping program for deployed traps by Pest Detection staff |
50% |
90% |
EQUITY IMPACT:
The establishment of target pests can detrimentally impact the livelihood of those working in production agriculture and raise food prices that disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.