To: Board of Supervisors
From: Matt Slattengren, Ag Commissioner/Weights & Measures Director
Report Title: Add one Agricultural Biologist I; Appropriation and Revenue Adjustment in the Agriculture / Weights and Measure Department
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 26195 to add one (1) full-time Agricultural Biologist I (BAWA) (represented) position at salary plan and grade QA5-1361 ($5,748 - $6,986) in the Agriculture / Weights and Measures Department.
Agriculture / Weights and Measures (0335): APPROVE Budget Adjustment No. BDA-23-00287 to increase FY 23-24 State Aid Revenue (9330) by $106,652 and increase Permanent Salaries (1011) by the same amount in the Agriculture / Weights and Measures Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Position Adjustment action has an annual salary and benefit cost of approximately $120,000. There is no Net County Cost for FY 23-24 due to offset from a one-time $100,000 State contract. Ongoing costs will be offset by State Unrefunded Gas Tax revenue. (60% State, 40% GF ongoing)
The Appropriation Adjustment action will result in increasing the appropriations to State Aid Revenue (9330) and to Permanent Salaries (1011) by $106,652 in the Agriculture / Weights and Measures Department.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Agriculture is experiencing continuous increases in workload and requests an additional Biologist I position with duties including agricultural inspections, pest detection and exclusion and eradication, and quarantine compliance.
The September 2023 quarantine in East Contra Costa County has exacerbated the gap in staffing levels versus service requirements that have steadily increased over 20 years. The 2023 quarantine alone has resulted in over 1,800 hours of additional billable work. The Department partners with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to mitigate such issues. While CFDA will provide approx...
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