Title
a. Approve and authorize the Agricultural Commissioner to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cooperative Agricultural Support Services Authority (CASS) to augment the amount payable by $80,000.00 for a total of $245,000.00; and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to make payments in accordance with the terms of the MOU. (ADDED VIA ADDENDUM)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Agricultural Commissioner to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cooperative Agricultural Support Services Authority (CASS) to augment the amount payable by $80,000.00 for a total of $245,000.00 and;
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to make payments in accordance with the terms of the MOU.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In FY 2014-15 the Agricultural Commissioner’s Department entered into an MOU with CASS to provide temporary seasonal employees through November 30, 2015. CASS is a Joint Powers Authority that specializes in providing seasonal or temporary help for state and county agricultural regulatory programs. CASS employees were assigned to perform pest detection trapping, commodity inspection, and other related agricultural activities. Department workload and staffing issues necessitated more utilization of CASS employees than anticipated.
The Department completed a consolidation classification study that was approved by the Board on August 25, 2015. The Department has utilized CASS employees this season while finalizing the study. The Department will employ County positions next season. The Agricultural Commissioner requests the authority to enter into Amendment No. 1 to the MOU. We are requesting approval and authorization of proposed Amendment No. 1 to provide for additional funds in the amount of $80,000.00, for a maximum not to exceed amount of $245,000.00, to complete contractual obligations through November 30, 2015.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Cooperative Agricultural Support Services Authority, Joint Powers Authority concurs with this recommendation. The Office of the County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller’s Office have approved proposed Amendment No. 1 as to legal form and fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund. Sufficient funds are available in the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office Budget. Work performed by CASS employees is fully funded by state contracts or industry assessment. On-going funding is subject to availability as determined through the County’s annual budget review and approval process.
Prepared by:
Sheila Salazar, Finance Manager, 759-7381
Approved by:
Eric Lauritzen, Agricultural Commissioner, 759-7325
Attachments:
CASS MOU
Amendment No. 1