Title
a. Approve and Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer of 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 the Zebra and Quagga Mussel in FY 2015-16 (4/5ths Vote Required);
b. Approve and authorize the request to participate in the Forbes Reinventing America: The Agtech Summit through the Monterey County Visitors and Convention Bureau in the amount of $25,000 from Agricultural Commissioner's Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, and
c. Approve and Authorize the Auditor-Controller transfer of up to $275,000 from the Agricultural Commissioner's Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, to the Capital Projects Fund 402, Appropriation Unit 8174, Appropriation RMA014, for the King City Project Number 28101(4/5ths Vote Required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer of 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 the Zebra and Quagga Mussel in FY 2015-16 (4/5ths Vote Required); and
b. Approve and authorize the request to participate in the Forbes Reinventing America: The Agtech Summit through the Monterey County Visitors and Convention Bureau in the amount of $25,000 from Agricultural Commissioner's Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, and
c. Approve and Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer of up to $275,000 from the Agricultural Commissioner's Unit 8001, Appropriation AGR001, to the Capital Projects Fund 402, Appropriation Unit 8174, Appropriation RMA014, for the King City Project Number 28101 (4/5ths Vote Required).
SUMMARY:
The Agricultural Commissioner realized unanticipated savings totaling $500,000 in FY 2014-15 due to salary savings. Recommended actions authorize expenditures in the current year that otherwise would not be possible. Approval of the Agricultural Commissioner's request utilizes available resources for critical pest exclusion, agricultural education and other agriculture-related projects that are beneficial to the County and the local agricultural industry, and will enhance reimbursement revenue in FY 2015-16.
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 revenue which totaled over $1.7 million in this FY. Additionally, these expenditures will utilize available resources for reimbursable agricultural related expenses and provide for some 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. The Agricultural Commissioner, Parks Department, and Water Resources Agency are working under a Memorandum of Understanding to prevent the introduction of invasive species and protect the County's resources.
This authorizes $25,000 in matching funds to the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) in support of the Forbes Reinventing America: Agtech Summit scheduled for July 2015 in Salinas, California. The Summit will position Monterey County nationally as a leader in the newest technology and best practices in Agriculture and perhaps as a leader on a world stage when Forbes provides a forum and discussion of critical innovations and opportunities for agriculture and related industries based in our Salinas Valley. This summit will bring resources from throughout the nation together with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and local agricultural interests. It is appropriate for the Agricultural Commissioner to support this event.
This Board Report also requests up to $275,000 be dedicated to the remediation of, and improvements for, a 1.7 acre property and associated buildings occupied by the Agricultural Commissioner and staff of the Third District Supervisor. All facilities at this site require repair, demolition, or reconstruction. A Phase I environmental assessment has been completed and a plan for the best use of the property will be developed following completion of the additional property assessment.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Agricultural Commissioner's Office has been working closely with the Department of Public Works and Capital Improvements for renovation and development of the King City Project. We are working with the Parks Department relative to the Dreissenid mussel prevention program.
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 2015-16, failure to meet the required Maintenance of Effort, and result in further requests from the Agricultural Commissioner for increased Net County Contribution in future years.
Prepared by:
Sheila Salazar, Finance Manager, 759-7381
Approved by:
Eric Lauritzen, Agricultural Commissioner, 759-7325
Approved by:
Mark Mariscal, Parks Director, 755-4899
Attachments: None