Title
Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement A-14933 with Monterey Bay Analytical Services, Inc, to continue providing environmental laboratory testing and analysis services, extending the term by three years, for a new term of September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2029 and with not to exceed amount of $75,000 remaining the same.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement A-14933 with Monterey Bay Analytical Services, Inc, to continue providing environmental laboratory testing and analysis services, extending the term by three years, for a new term of September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2029 and with not to exceed amount of $75,000 remaining the same.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey Health Department’s Consolidated Chemistry (Environmental) Laboratory (EH Lab) serves as the area’s regional laboratory and has provided necessary water testing for the City of Salinas, the City of Gonzales, and over 100 other community water systems. Due to the volume of testing required, EH Lab coordinates testing with other cost-effective laboratories, including Monterey Bay Analytical Services (MBAS), and ships the samples for the client as a value-added service.
DISCUSSION:
State and Federal regulations require monitoring of drinking water supplies and wastewater discharge for toxic chemicals and disease-causing microbes. There has been an increasing utilization of the EH Lab to perform these tests to assure the health and safety of the public.
EH Lab performs microbiological, general mineral and inorganic analysis in-house. Reports of ground water contamination have increased concern over the safety of the local water supply. The California Department of Public Health and the Environmental Protection Agency mandate that drinking water systems be monitored for specific toxins.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Build community power and partners’ capacity to increase equity and improve health; and 2. Provide exceptional person-centered care through accessible, community-focused health services. It also supports three of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 2. Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population; and 3. Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it; and 10. Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of the County Council and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded 32% by Public Health Environmental Lab fee revenue and 68% by Health Realignment. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (001-4000-8124-HEA003) FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and the Department’s FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This Amendment supports the Well-Being and Quality of Life goal by positioning the lab as a comprehensive resource for all community water testing needs. By outsourcing specialized analyses to external laboratories as required, the lab can offer a single point of contact for customers while preserving its professional relationship with the local lab to facilitate mutual aid when necessary.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst II, 796-1377
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Amendment No. 2
Amendment No. 1
Agreement