HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03121996 - D1 D. 1
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on March 12. 19% by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Rogers, DeSaulnier, Torlakson and Smith
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Bishop
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: 1996 Department Performance Report, Contra Costa County
Department of Agriculture
On this date the Board of Supervisors received the 1996
Department Performance Report from the Contra Costa County
Department of Agriculture .
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the above report is
ACCEPTED.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supe sora o the date shown.
ATTESTED:
PHIL BA HELOR,Clerk of the Board
Superyl and Cou I A ministrator
By ,DeDuty
CC: Department of Agriculture
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Department. of Agriculture
1996 DEPARTMENT PERFORMANCE REPORT
e
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I - DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW 1
Department Responsibilities 1
I. Environmental Protection Programs 1
II. Consumer Protection Programs 3
111. Service Programs 5
Organizational Structure 6
Functional Chart 7
SECTION II - RESOURCES 8
Financial Resources 8
I. Department Budget 8
II. Type of Financing 8
Personnel Resources 10
Affirmative Action 11
Sick Leave 12
Staff Development 13
SECTION III - CUSTOMER SERVICES 15
Service Delivery System 15
Customer Profile 16
Customer Relationships 17
SECTION IV - ANNUAL PERFORMANCE 17
Performance Indicators 18
SECTION V - CHALLENGES AND NEW DIRECTIONS 20
Challenges 20
New Directions 22
i
SECTION I - DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Department Responsibilities
The Department serves the citizens of Contra Costa County through
effective and uniform enforcement of the California Food and
Agricultural Code and the provisions of the California Business and
Professions Code.
The provisions of the California Agricultural Code promote and
protect the agricultural industry of the state and provide for
protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. The California
Food and Agricultural Code along with the Business and Professions
Code also facilitate commerce and protect the consumer by
ensuring equity prevails in the commercial exchange of goods where
value is determined by weight or measure.
A description of the Department's responsibilities can be broken
down into three different areas; Environmental Protection, Consumer
Protection, and Service Programs:
I. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS (Food and
Agricultural Code Sections 2272-2276, 5101 , 11501 .5)
Plant Pest Exclusion
The Department inspects plants or appliances arriving in the
county for the presence of insects, nematodes, pest animals,
diseases, noxious weeds and seeds that are or might be
detrimental to the agricultural industry of the county.
State and federal quarantines are enforced. All diseased or
infested shipments are quarantined until they are properly
treated, certified, returned or destroyed.
A major component is certification as to pest condition or pest
treatment of plants or agricultural commodities when required
as a condition of movement, entry or export to other states or
countries.
i
Plant Pest Management/Eradication
The Department works to eradicate infestations of exotic plant
pests of limited distribution or not known''to be established in
California.
The Department provides the public with; information on control
options for minor pests. We encourage practices utilizing
biological control and issue burn permits for plants infested or
infected with specific pests.
Pest Detection Survey
Under state contract the Department locates and maintains
traps in strategic locations to intercept new or serious insect
pests. Residential properties, commercial establishments,
horticultural plantings, and agricultural crops are inspected for
pests and diseases not generally established in the county.
Pesticide Use Enforcement
The Department issues permits for use of restricted materials
and enforces regulations on proper usage. Advice is given as
to proper use and safety precautions relating to pesticides.
Aerial and ground applications of pesticides are monitored for
conformance to regulations. Complaints';alleging misuse of
pesticides or their application are investigated. Records of
pest control operators, dealers and advisors are audited and
evaluated for compliance. Legal proceedings are initiated
when necessary.
Worker safety regulations are enforced to ensure safe working
conditions for employees who may be exposed to pesticides.
Pesticide storage facilities and equipment are inspected for
compliance with safety and environmental requirements.
The Department registers pest control operators, pilots and
pest control advisors. We also assist operators, advisors and
2
• dealers in understanding regulations on use of materials,
dosages and safety measures. Operator's work is checked for
proper control of pests treated.
The Department tabulates and submits reports on materials
used and inspections performed. 24 hour notices of intent to
apply restricted materials are received and pre-site evaluations
are performed to determine proper conditions.
Apiary Inspection
Apiaries are registered and inspected for disease and
infestations. The destruction of hives, combs, and honey
infested with American Foulbrood or other organisms of
quarantine significance is supervised.
Owners of apiaries are advised on best apiary practices.
Specimens are collected, prepared and submitted to the state
laboratory for diagnosis.
• II. CONSUMER PROTECTION PROGRAMS
Nursery Inspection (Food and Agricultural Code Sections 6903
and 53361)
Nursery stock is inspected in nurseries and commercial
growing grounds for pests, proper labeling, grades and
standards. Enforcement action is taken to insure compliance
with regulations and standards of cleanliness.
"California Nursery Stock Certificates" are issued to qualified
nurseries to assist in meeting shipping requirements to other
counties and states. Soil treatments are supervised for
nematode control as well as other soil pests. Regulatory
requirements are explained and pest control options are given.
3
Fruit-Vegetables, Eggs and Honey Inspection (Food and
Agricultural Code Sections 42651 , 29441, 27.561 ,
27561-66)
Fruit, nuts and vegetables are inspectedi for quality, maturity,
packing, container and marketing requirements. Also eggs
and honey are inspected for quality and marking requirements.
When violations are found non-compliance notices are issued
and reconditioning or destruction of sub-standard products is
documented.
Seed Inspection/Certification (Food and Agricultural Code
Section 52282)
Agricultural and vegetable seed is inspected for compliance
with the State Seed Law and Federal Seed Act. Official seed
samples are taken for.label verification.
Device Inspection (Business and Professions Code Section
12107 & California Code of Regulations Sections 4000-4029) •
Commercially used scales and scanners in retail stores are
registered and inspected to verify they are correct.
Inspections are also performed on service station meters,
vehicle and heavy capacity industrial type scales and all other
commercially used weighing and measuring devices.
Sub-metered electric and water meters at apartments,
marinas, and mobile home parks are inspected to verify they
are correct. All consumer complaints relating to weighing and
measuring devices are investigated.
Quantity Control (California Business & Professions Code
Section 12211 , Chapter 6 and California. Code of Regulations
Sections 4500-4657)
The Department verifies the net contents of commodities sold
to consumers. Package labels are also inspected to verify
they are in compliance with the Fair Packaging and Labeling
4
Act. All consumer complaints relating to net contents and
labeling are investigated.
Sale of Petroleum Products Enforcement (California Business .
& Professions Code Chapter 14 & 15 and the California Code
of Regulations Sections.4400-4308)
Compliance with minimum quality standards for gasoline,
diesel fuel, motor oil, brake fluid, anti-freeze and automatic
transmission fluid are verified through samples and
inspections. Inspections are performed to enforce required
labeling of petroleum products and motor fuel dispensers.
Consumer complaints regarding petroleum products are
investigated.
Weighmaster (California Business & Professions Code
Chapter 7 and California Code of Regulations Sections 4400-
4493)
. Weighmasters are inspected to verify compliance with laws
and regulations.
Device Repairman (California Business and Professions Code
Chapter 5.5 and California Code of Regulations Sections
4080-4084).
Device repairmen who install and repair weighing and
measuring devices in the county are registered and monitored
for proper compliance with state laws and regulations.
III. SERVICE PROGRAMS
Vertebrate Pest Management (Food and Agricultural Code
Sections 5421 , 6022)
Homeowners and growers are provided with advice on
identification and information on the control options for rodents
and other pest animals. A ground squirrel control program is
administered to protect agricultural lands, roadways,
5
structures, dams and levees. Poison bait is provided at cost .
for use in agricultural/open space programs.
Weed Control (Food and Agricultural Code Sections 2272-
2276)
The Department provides advice as to identification and
control of weeds. Control and eradication efforts on certain
noxious weeds are performed on agricultural lands, open
space, and park lands to preserve existing plant species.
Biological methods to control weeds are' encouraged and used.
when available. New serious weed pests are quarantined and
eradicated when intercepted.
Statistics (Food and Agricultural Code Section 2279)
The Department is required to compile an annual crop and
livestock report showing conditions, acreage, production and
value. In addition, special reports are developed when needed
to report crop and equipment damage for disaster relief .
purposes as well as provide updates on local conditions for the
news media.
Organizational Structure
The Department is divided into three Orgs. Org 3300 provides
administration and clerical support for both the Agricultural Division
and the Weights & Measures Division. Org 3305 is the Agricultural
Division and Org. 3315 is the Weights & Measures Division.
On the next page is a functional chart which lists the major program
responsibilites for each division. /
6
Organizational Structure
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FUNCTIONAL CHART
Agricultural Commissioner
Director of Weights and Measures
John H. deFremery
Enforcement of CA Food
and Agricultural Code
Enforcement of CA Business
and Professions Code
Chief Deputy
•
Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Administrative
Support
Agricultural Weights & Measures
Division Division
Plant Quarantine & Pest Detection Weighing and
Nursery & Seed Regulation Measuring Devices
Pesticide Use Enforcement
Insect & Disease Petroleum Products
Pest Management
Fruit, Vegetable & Quantity Control
Egg Quality Control
Vertebrate Pest Management Device Repairman
Weed Control
• Apiary Regulation Wei hmaster Investigation
Crop Statistics
SECTION II - RESOURCES •
Financial Resources
I. Department Budqet
Budgeted Expenditures 95/96
Administration (Org 3300) $ 324,624
Agriculture Division (Org 3305) 1 ,027,923
Weights & Measured Division (Org 3315) 417,711
$ 1 ,770,258
Anticipated Revenue 95/96
Administration (Org 3300) $ 188,597
Agriculture Division (Org 3305) 876,003
Weights & Measures Division (Org 3315) 145,000
$1 ,209,600
Net County Cost $ 560,658 •
II. Type of Financing
Financing for the Department is primarily derived from five different
sources; general state funding, government contracts to enforce
regulations or provide service, fees paid for service, fees paid by
industry to register, and the County general fund.
General State Funding
The Department receives a portion of the Unclaimed
Agriculture Gas Tax refund which is distributed to counties
based on each county's net cost of providing agricultural
programs. Due to the way this money is distributed, any cut in
Net County Cost that the Department receives would generally
be followed by a cut in Gas Tax refund revenue the following
year. This funding source is approximately $370,000 for the
Department.
8
• A subvention of $6,600 is received from the state each year
for the Agricultural Commissioner position.
Approximately $100,000 of the Pesticide Mill Tax is distributed
to the Department each year partially based on hours and
inspections performed in pesticide enforcement.
Government Contracts
The Department contracts with the state each year to provide
pest detection trapping. The contract is approximately
$350,000.
Various pesticide enforcement contracts including 100%
reporting, data entry, enforcement and residue sampling total
an additional $100,000.
Other miscellaneous state contracts for enforcement include
Nursery, Eggs, and Seed enforcement. These minor contracts
• total approximately $5,000.
Weights & Measures Division Contracts are also minor, they
include funding for Device Repairman, Weighmaster, and
Petroleum enforcement and total approximately $18,000.
Fees Paid for Service
The Department also receives some funding for services
provided. This would include funding from other county, city,
and public agencies for ground squirrel and artichoke thistle/
purplestar thistle control totaling approximately $90,000.
Additional funding from growers and the public total $25,000
for the same programs.
Industry/Registration Fees
Device registration fees are collected each year by the
Weights & Measures Division amounting to $127,000.
9
The pest control industry registers with the Department each •
year generating approximately $10,000 and growers/shippers
of agricultural commodities generally pay an additional $8,000
for certification and trapping services.
Some reimbursement for expenses are derived from consumer
protection cases given to the County District Attorney's Office
or from administrative fines levied as a result of enforcement
actions. The amount received fluctuates each year.
Personnel Resources
Authorized Positions
The Department has a total of 40 authorized positions of which
25.2 are permanent full time equivalent and 14 are permanent
intermittent. Five positions are in Administration (Org 3300)
consisting of the department head, the assistant department
head, Executive Secretary, and two Clerks - Senior Level (one
vacant) .
The Agricultural Division consists of 13.2 full time equivalent
positions and 14 permanent intermittent (contract) positions
(two vacant).
The Weights & Measures Division consists of 7 full time
positions.
Staffing Trends
Over the last five years the Department has eliminated two
management positions. One by combining the Chief Deputy
Sealer and the Chief Deputy Ag. Commissioner positions into
one. The other by eliminating a Deputy Ag. Commissioner
position.
One Weights & Measures Inspector position has been added
in order to address increasing workloads. Also a portion, of an
Ag. Biologist position has been added to accommodate two
10
biologists who requested to return to work on a part time basis
from maternity leave.
Affirmative Action
The Department compares very favorably with the workforce as a
whole:
Contra Costa Department
County Workforce
Workforce Calendar Year
Race (1990 Census) 1995
White (non hispanic) 72.11 75.7
Hispanics 10.56 10.8
Black 7.63 5.4
• Am. Indian, Eskimo, 0.61 0
Aleutian
Asian & Pacific Isle. 8.98 8.1
Other (unspecified) 0.12 0
Male 54.5 62
Female 45.5 38
In the last five years we have hired one hispanic male, one black
female, one white female, and two white males for permanent full
time positions.
Generally, it takes three years to train an employee and get them
licensed in enough areas to make them independent in the field. As
a result, we recruit heavily when we have openings for entry level
employees. We feel those we have hired over the last five years
were the strongest candidates and at the same time have improved
the representation within our workforce.
11
Sick Leave
Being a small Department we go through extreme swings in sick
leave usage each year. These swings in usage .generally reflect
special.circumstances such as major surgery, family illness or death,
and maternity leave. The Department tracks sick leave usage of all
staff members and includes discussion of sick'leave in annual
evaluations. The last four years of permanent'full time employee
sick leave usage is illustrated below:
2000
1800 _ Permanent Full Time Employee
1600 Sick Leave Usage (HoursNear)
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0 - -+-
1992 1993 1994 1995
In 1992 we had one staff member go off on maternity leave in
December.
In 1993 the same employee remained off on maternity leave, in
addition we had other special circumstances such as an employee
undergoing cancer surgery and treatment and an employee on
paternity leave.
In 1994 there were no special sick leave uses.
In 1.995 we had another staff member go off on maternity leave, a
staff member off two months due to surgery, and two staff members
affected by the illness and death of a parent. •
12
The chart below illustrates the average number of sick leave hours
used each year per staff member for the last four years. This
average has ranged from a low of 48.5 hours to a high of 75.6
hours.
The line on the chart illustrates what this average is per employee
when not counting usage due to special circumstances. This
average only ranges from 43.3 to 48.5 hours per employee.
$o
70
so
50 (�_-1 Average sick leave
used per employee
40
Average sick leave
30 used per employee
. (minus special uses)
zo
10
o -- -----+- --- -�— - -- -
1992 1993 1994 1995
Staff Development
Performance Evaluations
All staff within the Department are given performance
evaluations on at least an annual basis. Those who are in a
probationary status are given evaluations every two months.
Staff are encouraged to comment about their evaluations.
Sick leave usage is discussed as a part of the process.
State personnel are encouraged to work in the field with
Department staff to evaluate effectiveness of enforcement
13
programs. Reports are submitted to the�Commissioner/Sealer.
All enforcement programs which have been evaluated have
met state requirements.
Staff Development
Department staff have broad areas of responsibility and are
required to keep up on changing regulations,
ons, standards and
issues. Due to the licensing requirements
ts of our staff, we
provide the opportunity to take classes and encourage the
entire staff to take the necessary training to receive licensing
for all aspects of the job.
For the Agricultural Division staff we provide annual training in
the safe handling of pesticides. Other safety training provided
to staff members include drivers training forklift training, CPR,
first aid training and testing & training in 'the use of self
contained breathing apparatus for use when entering a
potentially dangerous environment.
Numerous staff members are active in state or regional
professional groups which provide input and training on new
regulations as well as the latest information on subjects such
as biological controls, integrated pest management, worker
protection standards, environmental protection, and standards
for weights & measures. At least seven! staff members have
served as chair for one or more regional, or state groups.
Automation
The Department has been faced with enforcing regulations
which seem to continually grow in number and complexity.
Along with the increasing workload of enforcing these
regulations we have been challenged with maintaining a
growing volume of records, reports, and'data. In order to keep
up with this workload the Department has gradually been
converting reports, forms and data to computers.
mputers. Invoices for
contracts and services, inventory, reports and budget plans
are currently developed on the computer.
14
In 1995, the Department was connected to the California
Department of Food and Agriculture through a state E-mail
system. At the same time the Department installed a LAN
along with E-mail within the Department. This year we
became the first county agricultural office to have its entire
staff placed on the state address list so that staff members
could receive E-mail directly from other state or county
agricultural offices.
SECTION III - CUSTOMER SERVICES
Service Delivery System
Being an enforcement agency our primary service is providing a fair
and uniform enforcement of state and county regulations.
Enforcement guidelines are generally dictated by the state along
with mandates to provide the enforcement. At the local level we can
set enforcement priorities to a certain degree, however, funding is
often tied to enforcement levels and impacts many of the decisions.
Complaints referred to us by the public receive priority on all
enforcement programs.
Beyond enforcement there are other services the Department
provides. As part of our Vyorker Safety and Pesticide Enforcement
programs staff members have given classes and talks to such
groups as the California Nurseryman's Association, CalTrans, the
Pest Control Operator's of California (Diablo Chapter) as well as to
local businesses, schools, and garden clubs. We participate in
giving educational seminars to businesses and growers in order to
help them understand and keep up with regulatory changes.
Staff members also work with public and private groups to educate
and develop Integrated Pest Management plans and Biological
Controls. Over 30 biological weed control sites have been
developed by staff members on public and private lands in order to
control noxious weeds within the county while reducing the need for
pesticide use.
• The Department works to control high ground squirrel populations
15
and noxious weeds such as artichoke thistle and purplestar thistle •
on both public and private lands. These programs protect our local
agriculture, roads, levees, and dams from these pests while
ensuring that control efforts are made in an environmentally sound
manner.
Other incidental services include pest/disease identification for the
public, cultural advice, and compiling statistical information on
Contra Costa County agricultural production.
Customer Profile
The Department serves all citizens of the county. Typical issues we
deal with would include:
Agricultural businesses, growers, and private citizens looking
for information on regulatory issues involving nurseries, seed,
eggs, fruits, vegetables, pesticides, agricultural quarantines,
importing and exporting of commodities, apiaries, weeds and
vertebrate pests.
Parents trying to determine if a plant their child ate was
poisonous.
Homeowners trying to identify a specific insect or pantry pest.
Homeowners trying to identify what is damaging their plants.
Growers, homeowners, and brokers requesting information and
certification inspections to ship plants or produce to other
states or countries.
Consumers, brokers or retailers who feel they were shorted
on materials they purchased.
Consumers, brokers or retailers who feel they are getting
defective/inferior gas or petroleum products.
Citizen requests for information on pesticide safety and use. •
16
Customer Relationships
The relationship of the Department with businesses and growers is
primarily on a regulatory basis. Growers who need Restricted
Materials Permits will make appointments each year as they need to
meet with staff and be updated on new regulations and
requirements. Likewise, pest control businesses make appointments
to meet with staff to register with the county and receive necessary
permits. Commercial businesses who need to register their
weighing and measuring devices are handled primarily by mail.
Regulatory inspections on growers and businesses to insure
compliance are generally made without warning. Other types of
inspections such as quarantine or certification inspections are
handled by regularly scheduled inspections or special appointments.
Services of identifying pests and giving cultural advice are generally
handled by phone or by customers bringing samples into the office
for identification. Pest management services for ground squirrels or
• artichoke thistle/purplestar thistle are generally arranged through
direct contact with individuals controlling property where a problem
has been identified.
Since the Department is primarily a regulatory agency there has
been no formal survey for customer satisfaction. Feedback is
received from both the public and industry through Department
representation at various public and special interest meetings.
SECTION IV - ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
It is difficult to establish indicators for a department that is
essentially enforcement oriented. The Department takes pride in
providing efficient programs which are focused on criteria specific to
the needs of the county. Based on the estimated county population
of 868,600 and our budgeted Net County Cost for 95/96, the
Department protects and promotes agriculture while it benefits
everyone by providing programs in both consumer protection and
environmental protection for a net per Capita cost of 65 cents per
• resident.
17
Performance Indicators
Weights & Measures
The Weights & Measures Division inspects weighing and measuring
devices which are used for commercial purposes. They also
respond to consumer complaints. The chart below indicates the
cost per person hour expended in providing these functions in the
seven bay area counties. The numbers are based on the most
recent data we have from the state (FY 1993/94).
50 49.65
45
40.39 41.04
40 37.41 36.65 35.63 36.79
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35
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Alameda Contra Santa Clara San Mateo San Marin Solano
Costa Francisco
Cost per Person Hour to Provide Weights & Measures Services
The Weights & Measures programs are completely based on
consumer protection. A higher percentage of Itheir programs are
funded through county general funds. As a result, a great deal of
emphasis is placed on efficient delivery of services.
18
• Agriculture
The Department places emphasis on physically 'being present to
monitor pesticide use in the field and on previewing applications for
environmental and safety factors. This provides workers and
residents with additional assurances that the conditions and
practices used were proper and safe.
The chart below illustrates the level of work maintained on pesticide
enforcement in comparison to the state average and the bay area
county* average for the FY 1994/95 (state draft report):
94/95 Pesticide Enforcement
14
12.4
12X.
10 9.5 Pre-application
a Inspections
6.3
6
❑ A
Application Inspections
ections4 XXX
P
2
0.99 0.99
1.5
State Bay Contra
Average Area' Costa
M Average Average
M M
*Bay area average is the average of work done (% of applications
inspected) by Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San
Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano counties.
The Department also places emphasis on exclusion through
inspections of quarantine commodities in order to reduce the risk of
a new exotic pest becoming established in the county. The need for
this emphasis is made evident by the fact that Contra Costa County
residents were impacted by two pest eradication programs during
the 1980's. The chance of new introductions continues to be a
concern as Alameda County detected Gypsy Moth in Berkeley in
1993 and 1994 and in 1995 our staff detected a single Oriental Fruit
19
Fly in the City of Concord. .
The quality of the work performed by our staff is represented by the
chart below. The chart is based on 1993 Gypsy Moth inspection
data which is the most recent we have available from the state:
% of Shipments Found Infested
1.4
1.24
1.2
0.8
0.56
0.6 ::.::...
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State Average Bay Area'Average Contra Costa Average
* Bay Area average is based on data from Contra Costa, Alameda,
Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano
counties.
While inspecting 4% of the shipments which came into the state
from high hazard areas Contra Costa staff made 16% of the state's
interceptions of infested shipments.
SECTION V - CHALLENGES AND NEW DIRECTIONS
Challenges
Conflicts at the Ag/Urban interface continue to be a major area of
concern. Complaints by new home owners of noises, slow moving
equipment, dust, pesticides, and smell due to agricultural operations
are not new. However, with a growth rate in agricultural areas
which has averaged over 10% per year over the last 10 years, we
20
are constantly dealing with educating new residents about these
issues.
Doing more with less is an ongoing challenge that most of us face.
Our Department has tried to handle this challenge by continually re-
evaluating priorities and through staff development programs which
enhance performance while creating pride in a job well done. We
have had some measure of success in doing more with less:
We currently have the same number of Weights & Measures staff as
the Department had in 1959. This is despite an increase in
workload which has been created by a county population growth of
over 420,000 during the last 36 years. In 1973 the Department
used 10 staff members to inspect 3,301 premises and test 2,241
retail gasoline pumps. In 1995 we were able to inspect 3,904
premises and 3,367 retail gasoline pumps with 7 staff members.
While we have been successful, there is concern that continually
asking staff to do more with less has its limits. One reason we have
been successful in handling workloads has been due to a highly
trained professional staff. Currently 9 of our 25.2 full time equivalent
staff members are in their mid to late 50's so the Department will be
facing a loss of highly trained people over the next few years.
Preserving agriculture is a major challenge to the county. Growers
are receiving mixed messages. They are told agriculture is
important and must be preserved. However, they see increases in
traffic, vandalism, and new restrictions placed on agricultural
operations.
Due to state regulations and population growth our Department is
forced to place more and more restrictions on how and when
pesticides can be used. Other county agencies increase fees and
permitting requirements for ag facilities, and zoning changes impact
land values and uses. Some growers have already been faced with
making a conscious decision to cancel insurance policies in order to
pay fee increases levied on them by government agencies. The
county needs to remember that providing services to agriculture
40 helps to preserve a local industry which benefits all by maintaining
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our quality of life, open space, and environment. These services do
not just benefit an individual grower.
New Directions
The Department is already trying to prepare for the loss of
experienced personnel it will encounter over the next few years.
Last year we took advantage of two Biologist positions which elected
to work reduced hours upon return from maternity leave by hiring a
new Biologist Trainee from the cost savings. This allowed us to
keep two highly trained individuals on a part time basis while we
started the long process of training a new Biologist. It will take
innovative approaches similar to these for the Department to
maintain levels of service.
The Department is taking an increasing role in Biological control
efforts by working with the University and other agencies to develop,
distribute and promote their use. We hope to address pest
problems threatening Contra Costa residents and local agriculture by
finding environmentally safe and economically viable alternatives.
We have already increased our involvement in Biological control
programs by helping to establish release sites on public and private
lands. We are currently exploring ways to generate revenue to
expand these programs further.
Enforcement guidelines implementing the Endangered Species Act
are an area of future concern for agriculture. The Department has
already hosted a public meeting regarding local conditions on
pesticide use which were proposed to protect the San Joaquin Kit
Fox. These proposed conditions are in the process of being
adopted to mitigate use of certain materials in Eastern Contra Costa
County. The Department will continue to have a role of working with
special interest groups to establish conditions which meet the needs
of our county.
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