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 in the amount of $316,865.
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 County of Amador, the County of Calaveras, the County of El Dorado and the County of 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.
The County of El Dorado is a member of the Multi-County Partnership and the University of California Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with Supervisor Lori Parlin representing our County and the Agricultural Commissioner LeeAnne Mila. The programs are determined by representatives from each of the partner organizations through the Advisory Council. On April 19, 2023, the Advisory Council met to discuss the needs of UCCE. Subsequently, after UCCE presentations to the other counties, they approved increases to their contributions to cover the increased cost of salary and benefits.
On August 15, 2023, 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 contract. Staff is requesting approval of Attachment C, which provides that the County will pay UCCE $316,865 annually and authorization for LeeAnne Mila, Agricultural Commissioner to sign the agreement.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the agreement and the County would continue to pay the $275,535 to UCCE, pursuant to Agreement 2941.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
08/15/23 Legistar 23-1440-Presentation and request to increase funding through June 2026.
06/29/21 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
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
The additional $41,330 is included in the Agriculture Department budget for FY 2023-24. Agriculture will request this funding as part of the department budget request for FY 2024-25 and 2025-26.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Economic Development and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
LeeAnne Mila Agricultural Commissioner (530) 621-5520
JoLynn Miller UCCE Multi-County Partnership Director (209) 533-5686