Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget of the Agricultural Commissioner, Fund 001, Appropriation Unit AGR001, increasing appropriations and estimated revenues by $639,276, where the financing sources are additional unanticipated revenues from Unclaimed Gas Tax (UGT) in the amount of $159,239, Mill Assessment Fees on the sale of pesticides in the amount of $330,037, and $150,000 from an increase in Phytosanitary Certificates issued for exports of agricultural commodities (4/5th vote required); and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer up to $200,000 from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, to Parks Lake & Resort Operations Fund 452, Dept. 7500, Appropriation Unit PAR004 for the monitoring and exclusion of Zebra and Quagga Mussel and noxious weed abatement (4/5th vote required); and
c. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to set-aside up to $200,000 in Restricted Net Position, Fund 452, Balance Sheet Account 3201, Sub Balance Sheet MUSS; and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer up to $889,776 from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, to the Capital Projects Fund 402, Appropriation Unit 8174, Appropriation RMA014, for the Agricultural Commissioner Facility Development Project Number 28101.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget of the Agricultural Commissioner, Fund 001, Appropriation Unit AGR001, increasing appropriations and estimated revenues by $639,276, where the financing sources are additional unanticipated revenues from Unclaimed Gas Tax (UGT) in the amount of $159,239, Mill Assessment Fees on the sale of pesticides in the amount of $330,037, and $150,000 from an increase in Phytosanitary Certificates issued for exports of agricultural commodities (4/5th vote required); and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer up to $200,000 from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, to Parks Lake & Resort Operations Fund 452, Dept. 7500, Appropriation Unit PAR004 for the monitoring and exclusion of Zebra and Quagga Mussel and noxious weed abatement (4/5th vote required); and
c. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to set-aside up to $200,000 in Restricted Net Position, Fund 452, Balance Sheet Account 3201, Sub Balance Sheet MUSS; and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer up to $889,776 from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, to the Capital Projects Fund 402, Appropriation Unit 8174, Appropriation RMA014, for the Agricultural Commissioner Facility Development Project Number 28101.
SUMMARY:
The Agricultural Commissioner realized unanticipated revenue of $639,276 in FY 2016-17 and salary savings of $500,000. The unanticipated revenue was $159,239 unbudgeted revenue from Unclaimed Gas Tax, $330,037 from Mill Tax and $150,000 due to an increase in the number of requests for Phytosanitary Certificates. Recommended actions authorize expenditures in the current year that otherwise would not be possible. Support for the Agricultural Commissioner’s request utilizes available resources for critical pest exclusion and other agriculture-related projects that are beneficial to the County and will enhance reimbursement revenue next year in FY 2017-18.
DISCUSSION:
The recommended actions comply with Board guidelines, facilitating projects that will result in improvements that provide far-reaching or long-term benefits that might otherwise be delayed or not occur at all. The recommended use of funds benefits the Agricultural Commissioner’s maintenance of effort requirement, ensuring the continued receipt of Unclaimed Gas Tax (UGT) revenue which totaled just under $1.7 million in this fiscal year. Additionally, these expenditures will utilize available resources for reimbursable agricultural related expenses and provide for additional revenue recovery.
The $200,000 for the County Zebra and Quagga mussel program will assist in continuing the comprehensive prevention program required by Fish and Game Code Section 2302 to prevent the introduction of the mussels into the lakes. Dreissenid mussels (Zebra and Quagga mussels) are invasive aquatic organisms that must be excluded from the San Antonio and Nacimiento lakes to prevent severe impacts to the County’s water storage and delivery system for agriculture. Fish and Game Code Section 2302 requires the County to develop and implement a program to prevent the introduction of the non-native Dreissenid mussel species. These funds will also be available for noxious weed abatement. The Agricultural Commissioner, Resource Management Agency, and Water Resources Agency are working under a Memorandum of Understanding to prevent the introduction of invasive species and protect the County’s resources.
Other collaborations include the purchase of servers that will be integrated into the County’s virtual infrastructure and the licenses to manage the new environment. This will benefit the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office as well as other County departments.
This Report also requests up to $889,776, be dedicated to the Agricultural Commissioner Facility Development Project. This Project was focused on improvements to the County’s property in King City but staffing at this location has been reduced and there are no other local agency partners participating. The Department is currently evaluating long term needs with the potential to divest from the property currently occupied in King City. The Project will now consider alternative locations for the Agricultural Commissioner’s South County operations. Two additional projects have been added to the Capital Improvement Plan, development of a North County facility and improvements to the main office in Salinas. Any future expenditure will be brought to the Board for consideration.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has been working closely with the Department of Public Works and Capital Improvements for relocation options. We are working with the RMA/Parks Department relative to the Dreissenid mussel prevention and weed abatement program. Our relationship with Information Technology supports the Agricultural Commissioner in addition to other County departments.
FINANCING:
The proposed action utilizes available resources in the Agricultural Commissioner’s Budget for appropriate State reimbursable expenditures. Failure to expend the funds in the current year will result in loss of State revenue in FY 2017-18. The Department’s inability to meet the required Maintenance of Effort would require additional General Fund contributions to the Agricultural Commissioner’s Budget in future years. There is no impact to the County’s contribution to the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner as a result of this action.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This request utilizes available resources for reimbursable agricultural related expenses and provide for revenue recovery. Improving and constructing County facilities improves the County’s infrastructure. Maintaining the lakes free of zebra and quagga mussels protects the County’s infrastructure and economic resources.
ü Economic Development
ü Administration
Health & Human Services
ü Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by:
Sheila Salazar, Finance Manager, 759-7381
Approved by:
Eric Lauritzen, Agricultural Commissioner, 759-7325
Attachments:
Resolution