Title
a. Support the request to authorize the Auditor-Controller to increase FY 2016-17 revenues and appropriations by $489,276 in the Agricultural Commissioner’s Department; and
b. Support the request 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 the Zebra and Quagga Mussel; and
c. Support the request for 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. Support the request to transfer up to $789,276 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 Budget Committee:
a. Support the request to authorize the Auditor-Controller to increase FY 2016-17 revenues and appropriations by $489,276 in the Agricultural Commissioner’s Department; and
b. Support the request 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 the Zebra and Quagga Mussel; and
c. Support the request for 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. Support the request to transfer up to $789,276 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 $489,276 in FY 2016-17 and salary savings of $500,000. The unanticipated revenue was $159,239 unbudgeted revenue from Unclaimed Gas Tax and $330,037 from Mill Tax. 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 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 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, 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.
This Report also requests up to $789,276 be dedicated to the Agricultural Commissioner Facility Development Project. This Project has been 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 we currently occupy 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 Parks/RMA 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 2017-18, failure to meet the required Maintenance of Effort and will result in additional requests from the Agricultural Commissioner for increased Net County Contribution in future years. There is no impact to County’s contribution to the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner as a result of this action.
Prepared by:
Sheila Salazar, Finance Manager, 759-7381
Approved by:
Eric Lauritzen, Agricultural Commissioner, 759-7325
Approved by:
Parks/Resource Management Agency
Attachments:
None