Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation from the El Dorado County Resource Conservation District and the Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 5744 with the El Dorado County Resource Conservation District, in the amount of $104,060.28 in Fiscal Year 2021-22, increasing annually based on the actual percentage change of the prior year’s County General Fund growth in assessed value, for a five (5) year term expiring June 30, 2026; and
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 5745 with the Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District, in the amount of $104,060.28 in Fiscal Year 2021-22, increasing annually based on the actual percentage change of the prior year’s County General Fund growth in assessed value, for a five (5) year term expiring June 30, 2026;
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Agreements 5744 and 5745 outline the contributions to the El Dorado County Resource Conservation District and the Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District (RCDs) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 through FY 2025-26. Historically the funding for these contracts has been increased each year based on the County’s General Fund change in assessed value. The FY 2021-22 contributions are based on growth of 4.5610% during FY 2020-21. The recommended funding level for the RCD agreements is set at the prior year base level ($99,521.09 for each district) increased by the change in assessed value of 4.5610% or $4,539.19 per district for a new total of $104,060.28 per district or $208,120.56 for both Districts.
Before Proposition 13 was enacted, State legislation through Division 9 of the Public Resources Code gave RCD's the option of regular assessments to contribute to the support of the RCD's programs. This assessment was limited to two-cents ($.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. Every five years, the RCD's bring forth an annual agreement with a budget based on the percentage change of the prior year's General Fund growth in assessed property valuation. On June 28, 2016, the Board approved the prior five-year agreement with Legistar item 16-0683.
The El Dorado County and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) and the Chief Administrative Office have developed Agreements 5744 and 5745 for consideration and approval by the Board of Supervisors. The purpose of the agreements is to identify responsibilities and establish areas of cooperative effort for all parties regarding erosion and sediment control and watershed management. The RCDs have played an important role in the project review process and have been instrumental in assisting the County in the development of erosion and sediment control measures and policies.
In preparing the agreements the RCDs and Chief Administrative Office met to review the prior agreements and determine any areas of possible revision. In prior practice the agreements outlined a process where the RCDs provide site reviews and inspections, the County collects fees for these services on behalf of the RCDS, the RCDs invoice the County for these fees, and the County pays the invoices to the RCDs. It was determined in discussions with Central Fiscal staff and the RCDs that the County could save staff time and resources by removing the process and having the RCDs collect these fees directly from the applicants.
In addition, the District Manager for the RCDs has prepared an informational presentation for the Board to demonstrate the RCD’s program accomplishments.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to approve the agreements or propose revisions to the agreements.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
12/08/2020 Legistar Item 20-1609 - Approval of assessed value adjustments for RCDS
06/28/2016 Legistar Item 16-0683 - Approval of prior five-year agreement
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the agreements was included in the FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget within the General Revenues and Other Operations budget unit, also known as Department 15 from discretionary General Fund revenue. Funding for the agreements will be provided for in future year’s budgets for the remainder of the agreements.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements 5744 and 5745; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the District Director of the RCDs.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Good Governance
CONTACT
Emma Owens, Principal Management Analyst