Title
Department of Agriculture recommending the Board approve and authorize the Agricultural Commissioner to sign amended Attachment C for the University of California Cooperative Extension increasing the annual amount by $12,677 for a new amount of $329,542 for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The University of California Cooperative Extension provides programs to foothill Counties, which brings researchers and educators into rural areas to help bring the results of agricultural research to the end users to address local agricultural, environmental and health issues. This partnership comprises The Regent of the University of California, the counties of Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and Tuolumne and is established by the interlocal agreement. Programs include services such as 4-H Youth Development Staff, Master Gardener Staff, Natural Resources Advisors, Specialty Crops Advisor and the Forestry Advisor program.
El Dorado County is a member of the Multi-County Partnership and the University of California Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, with Supervisor Lori Parlin and the Agricultural Commissioner LeeAnne Mila representing our County. The programs are determined by representatives from each of the partner organizations through the Advisory Council. On April 4, 2024, the Advisory Council met to discuss the needs of UCCE, and following the UCCE, a 4% increase was approved to address rising salary and benefit costs.
On June 29, 2021, Legistar 21-0913, the Board approved a new agreement for the term of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026 with an annual amount of $275,535. Pursuant to Section III.A.9.h of the agreement, it allows for future incremental costs increases associated with the program, including personnel costs that escalate over time.
On December 12, 2023, Legistar 23-2145, the Board approved an increase of $41,330 for FY 2023-24 for a new annual amount of $316,865.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the agreement and the County would continue to pay the $316,865 to UCCE, pursuant to Agreement 2941.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
12/12/23 Legistar 23-2145 the Board approved Attachment C for increased funding and authorization for LeeAnne Mila, Agricultural Commissioner to sign the agreement.
08/15/23 Legistar 23-1440-the Board received a presentation from UCCE, and directed staff to include the additional funding in the amount of $41,330, for an annual total of $316,865 in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget and return to the Board with approval of amended attachment C contract.
6/29/21 Legistar 21-0913 - Increasing the contribution (Agreement 2941) of $275,535 per year for a total amount of $1,377,675, plus in-kind contributions including 3,445 square feet of office space, utilities, building maintenance, and janitorial services, and phone line access, for a five-year term from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026.
01/14/20 Legistar 19-1874 - Increasing amount of funding from $252,992 to $275,535 per year.
12/17/19 Legistar 19-1841 - Budget Transfer for UCCE funding.
11/19/19 Legistar 19-1601 - Board approval for additional funding from General Fund excess fund balance from Fiscal Year 2018-19.
10/09/18 Legistar 18-1526 - Approval of the UCCE contract on 10/9/18 through 6/30/2021.
06/14/11 Legistar 11-0515 - Original UCCE Interlocal Agreement.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
Chief Administrative Office
University of California Cooperative Extension Office
County of Amador
County of Calaveras
County of Tuolumne
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost, the increase is included in the department's FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
LeeAnne Mila Agricultural Commissioner (530) 621-5520
JoLynn Miller UCCE Multi-County Partnership Director (209) 533-5686