Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file an annual report on the activities of the El Dorado and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs);
2) Consider a request from the RCDs for increased funding; and
3) Authorize the Chief Administrative Office to negotiate amendments to the current agreements with the RCDs to reflect their increased scope of services and to ensure appropriate compensation.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The El Dorado Resource Conservation District and the Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District are local, independent, non-enforcement, non-regulatory, self-governed districts organized under Division 9 of the Public Resources Code. Each RCD advises and assists individual landowners and public agencies in planning and implementation of conservation practices for the protection, restoration, or development of land, water, and related natural resources.
Before Proposition 13 was enacted, State legislation through Division 9 of the Public Resources Code gave RCD's the option of regular assessments to contribute to the support of the RCD's programs. This assessment was limited to two-cents ($.02) on each hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation of land within the RCD's boundaries. During the 1960's the RCD's were requested by the then Board of Supervisors to relinquish this capability and be funded by the Board of Supervisors. The RCD's agreed to continue on this basis, rather than divert a share of taxes after Proposition 13. The current contracts between the County and the RCDs expire June 30, 2026. Funding for FY 2024-25 under the agreements is $123,432 per district. This amount increases each year based on the County’s General Fund change in assessed value.
Under the agreements, the RCD provides an informational presentation on District accomplishments to the Board of Supervisors annually. This year's presentation highlights additional activities that the District has been performing that aren't expressly described in the agreements, and the RCD Boards of Directors have submitted a letter requesting an increase to the Districts' funding to reflect this increased scope. County staff acknowledges that the RCDs have provided services in addition to those enumerated in the current agreements and recommends the Board authorize the Chief Administrative Office to negotiate contract amendments to increase scope and compensation and return to the Board for consideration no later than December 31, 2024.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 21-1048 - June 29, 2021 - The Board of Supervisors approved Agreements with each District
Legistar file 23-1395 - July 25, 2023 - The Districts' Executive Director delivered an annual report to the Board of Supervisors
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Based on preliminary discussions with the RCD Executive Director, if the above actions are approved by the Board, the CAO will include approximately $65,000 in additional compensation for the RCDs in the recommended Adopted Budget. This amount would provide compensation roughly proportionate to that received annually in property tax revenue by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Sue Hennike, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer