Title
a. Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations by $18,260 for the Health-Environmental Health Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget (001-4000-8117-HEA005) financed by a reduction in the contingencies appropriation (001-1050-CAO020-8034) to provide funding for a toxicologist to evaluate Moss Landing 300 clean-up data (4/5ths vote required); and
b. Authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate the changes in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Environmental Health Adopted Budget (001-4000-8117-HEA005).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations by $18,260 for the Health-Environmental Health Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget (001-4000-8117-HEA005) financed by a reduction in the contingencies appropriation (001-1050-CAO020-8034) to provide funding for a toxicologist to evaluate Moss Landing 300 clean-up data (4/5ths vote required); and
b. Authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate the changes in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Environmental Health Adopted Budget (001-4000-8117-HEA005).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On May 20, 2025, the Board of Supervisors, in response to an update received regarding the Moss Landing 300 clean-up site directed staff to engage a toxicologist to review the data that has been gathered and is being gathered and provide a detailed analysis of the data at the next Moss Landing fire update to the Board.
The Health Department-Environmental Health has received a cost estimate for the analysis of $18,260 from Cornerstone Earth Group, Inc. with Integral Consulting as a subcontractor, to review current publicly available environmental data and evaluate if it is sufficient to conduct a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) and identify potential data gaps to be addressed prior to a HHRA.
Funding for this project will be supplied from the reserve for contingencies (001-1050-8034-CAO020), which requires appropriations of the funds to the Environmental Health FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget, the Department requests an increase in appropriations for payment of this analysis as this was not included in the Environmental Health Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget (4000-8117-HEA005). Due to the timing of this item, staff requested and received approval from the Budget Committee’s Chair to present this item directly to the Board of Supervisors.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal(s) Goal 1. Build Community Power and Partners’ Capacity to Increase Equity and Improve Health.
It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically, 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; 5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts and 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Public Health, Department of Toxic Substances, California Air Resources Board, Monterey Bay Air Resources District and County of Santa Cruz have been active contributing agencies.
FINANCING:
The impact to the General Fund in Fiscal Year 2024-25 will be $18,260, which will be finances by a reduction in the contingency’s appropriation (001-1050-CAO020-8034). Appropriations will be increased in the Environmental Health (001-4000-8117-HEA005) to allow for payment of the cost of this analysis.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Robin Kimball, MA III, 1297
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Resolution