Advisory Board: Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee
Subject: 6. DISCUSS pending changes to the IPM Program and ADVISE on these and other potential program adjustments.
Presenter: Wade Finlinson
Contact: 925.655.3214
Information:
The County IPM Policy states that IPMAC "serves as a resource to help both Department Heads and the Board of Supervisors periodically review, update, and improve existing programs and the processes used for making pest management decisions." The IPM Program will likely move from the Hazardous Materials Programs Division of Contra Costa Health to the Agriculture Commissioner's Office in the near future. This move marks an opportunity to evaluate how the broader program is structured and make recommendations for refinement.
Referral History and Update:
At the June 24, 2025 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Lewis Broschard of the Contra Costa Fire Prevention District indicated that the IPM Program would transition to the Agriculture Commissioners office. No further details of the timeline or logistics of this move have been shared with the IPM Coordinator. Nevertheless, the pending move may result in greater access to related resources within the Agriculture Department and improve the implementation of IPM principles into applicable County programs.
Additionally, other related factors may compel further consideration at this time. Those include but are not limited to the following:
* Limited public participation in meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Difficulty recruiting new members.
* Potential challenges regarding new training requirements for all County boards and commissions.
* Inconsistent engagement between the IPM Coordinator and each affected operational division.
* Limitations on pragmatic problem solving within the parameters of the Brown Act, Better Government Ordinance, and hybrid meeting requirements.
* Low rate of IPMAC recommendations being acknowledged or incorporated throughout the life of...
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