To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Interim Health Services Director
Report Title: Application #78-050-2 to the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Interim Health Services Director, or designee (Deputy Director of Health Services, Director of Environmental Health, or Assistant Director of Environmental Health), to submit Grant Application #78-050-2 to the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, to apply for an award in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for the Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) Assistance Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Application may result in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health. (No County match required)
BACKGROUND:
Assembly Bill (AB) 626, enacted in 2019, amended the California Health and Safety Code to create a MEHKOs, as a new type of retail food facility that allows an individual to operate a restaurant within their private residence. Since the state established MEHKOs in 2019, eight Counties have authorized MEHKOs. In addition, three Counties have temporarily authorized MEHKO pilot programs. Combined, there are over 200 permitted MEHKOs across the state as of the end of 2022.
On December 12, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved submission of Application #78-050 to the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health for the MENKO Assistance Program for an award amount up to $2,612,000.
On April 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved Grant Award #78-050-1 to allow County to accept funds for the MEHKO Assistance Program in an amount not to exceed $110,722, to be distributed on May 31, 2025.
Approval to submit Application #78-050-2 will allow County to apply for funds for the MEHKO Assistance Program in an amount not to exceed $20,000 to be distributed on September 30, 2025.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Application is not approved, the County will not apply for funds to support program development activities provided by the Environmental Health Division staff.