HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05201997 - D1 DA
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on May 20, 1997, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Rogers, Uilkema Canciamilla and DeSaulnier
t
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Gerber
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Department of Agriculture's 1997 Departmental Performance Report
Edward Meyer, Agricultural Commissioner and Director of Weights & Measures,
provided both a written and oral departmental performance report.
Subsequent to the presentation by Mr. Meyer, the Board took the following action:
1. ACCEPTED report from Edward Meyer, Agricultural Commissioner and
Director of Weights & Measures, on departmental performance.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of an action taken and entered on
the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the
date shown.
ATTESTED: May 20, 1997
Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and County Administrator
r
fil
XWV—am r, Deputy Clerk
cc: County Administrator
Department of Agriculture
CONTRA 'TA'-COUNTY
Department of Agriculture
1997
DEPARTMENT PERFORMANCE REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS-
SECTION I - DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW 1
Department Responsibilities 1
--I: -- Enivronmental Protection Programs ----------- 1
11. Consumer Protection Programs 3
III. Service Programs 5
Organizational Structure 6
Functional Chart 7
SECTION 11 - RESOURCES 8
Financial Resources 8
I. Department Budget 8
11. Type of Financing 8
Personnel Resources 10
Affirmative Action 11
Sick Leave 12
Staff Development 14
SECTION Ill - CUSTOMER SERVICES 15
Service Delivery System 15
Customer Profile 16
Customer Relationships 17
SECTION IV - ANNUAL PERFORMANCE 18
Performance Indicators 18
SECTION V - CHALLENGES AND NEW DIRECTIONS 21
Challenges 21
New Directions 22
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
Plant Pest Exclusion (Food & Agricultural Code Sections
2272-2276 & 5101)
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 of plants and agricultural
commodities for pest cleanliness or pest treatment when required
as a condition of movement, entry or export to other states or
countries.
i
Plant Pest Management/Eradication (Food & Agricultural.-Code : -
Sections 2272 & 51,01) - -
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 Survex (Food & Agricultural Sections 2274 & 5101)
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 (Food & Agricultural Code Section
11501 .5)
The Department issues permits for use of restricted materials and
enforces regulations on proper usage. Advice is given for 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
2
control advisors. We also assist operators, advisors and dealers-
in
ealers-in understanding regulations on -use of- materials, dosages and
safety measures. The operator's work is monitored for proper
control of pests treated.
The Department tabulates and submits reports on materials used-
and
sed and inspections performed. The 24 hour notices of intent to apply
restricted materials are received and pre-site evaluations are
performed to determine proper conditions.
A,piary Inspection (Food & Agricultural Code Sections 29043,
29101 & 29201)
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 and local
pesticide applications. 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 , 27561 &
27561-66)
Fruit, nuts and vegetables are inspected 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
4
in compliance with the Fair Packaging and Labeling 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.
Weiahmaster (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, structures,
dams and levees. Poison bait is provided at cost for use in
5
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
responsibilities for each division.
6
Organizational Structure
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FUNCTIONAL CHART
Agricultural Commissioner
Director of Weights and Measures
Edward P. Meyer
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
7
SECTION II - RESOURCES
Financial Resources
I. Department Budget
Budgeted Expenditures 96/97
Administration (Org 3300) $ 287,908
Agriculture Division (Org 3305) 1 ,166,644
Weights & Measures Division (Org 3315) 426,603
$ 1 ,881 ,155
Anticipated Revenue 96/97
Administration (Org 3300) $ 50,820
Agriculture Division (Org 3305) 1 ,032,780
Weights & Measures Division (Org 3315) 160,000
$1 ,243,600
Net County Cost $ 637,555
II. Type of Financin4
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 $408,000 for the Department.
8
A subvention of$6,600 is received from the state each year for the
Agricultural Commissioner position.
Approximately $130,000 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 current contract is approximately $368,000.
Various pesticide enforcement contracts including 100% reporting,
data entry, enforcement and residue sampling total an additional
$89,000.
Other miscellaneous state contracts for enforcement include
Nursery, Eggs, and Seed enforcement. These minor contracts
total approximately $4,000.
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 $60,000. Additional funding from
growers and the public total $9,000 for the same programs.
Industry/Registration Fees
Device registration fees are collected each year by the Weights &
Measures Division amounting to $135,000.
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 $6,000 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
and unfunded) .
The Agricultural Division consists of 13.2 full time equivalent
positions and 14 permanent intermittent (contract) positions.
The Weights & Measures Division consists of 7 full time positions.
Staffina 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 to
address increasing workloads. Also a portion of an Ag. Biologist
position has been added to accommodate two biologists who
requested to return to work on a part time basis from maternity
leave.
10
Historically our department has had a low turnover of staff,
however, we currently have eight employees who are in their mid
50's to early 60's. We have also had two employees retire within
the last year. The anticipated change in staffing over the next few
years will provide a challenge in training, staffing and maintaining
our current level of performance.
Affirmative Action
The Department compares very favorably with the workforce as a whole:
Contra Costa Department
County Workforce
Workforce Calendar Year
Race (1990 Census) 1996
White (non hispanic) 72.11 78.4
Hispanics 10.56 10.8
Black 7.63 2.7
Am. Indian, Eskimo, 0.61 0
Aleutian
Asian & Pacific Isle. 8.98 8.1
Other (unspecified) 0.12 0
Male 54.5 54.1
Female 45.5 45.9
In the last five years we have made progress in making our staff more
representative of our county's current workforce. Unfortunately, last year
we lost one minority woman when she returned to a previous employer
who offered a better retirement package.
Generally, it takes three years to train employees 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 six years were the strongest
candidates and at the same time have improved the representation
within our workforce.
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 (Hours/Year)
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
1993 1994 1995 1996
12
In 1993 an employee was off on maternity leave. In addition we had
other special circumstances including an employee undergoing cancer
surgery and treatment and an employee on paternity leave.
In 1994 there were no special sick leave uses.
In 1995 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.
In 1996 one staff member was affected by illness of a parent and another
with heart problems.
The chart below illustrates the average number of sick leave hours used
each year per staff member for the last five 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 53.0 hours per employee.
so
70
60
Average sick leave
so used per employee
40 -- Average sick leave
used per employee
30 (minus special
20 uses)
10
0 — -----
1993 1994 1995 1996
13
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
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, standards and
issues. 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 includes safe vehicle driving, forklift operation, CPR,
First Aid and proper 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.
14
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. To keep up with this workload, the Department has
gradually been converting reports, forms and data to computers.
Invoices for contracts and services, inventory, reports and budget
plans are currently developed on the computer.
In 1996, our Weights & Measures Division became one of the first
County Departments to down load data for the State monthly
reports directly to the Department of Measurement Standards in
Sacramento. The Weights & Measures Division is currently testing
new software which allows them to input inspection data in the field
and down load it directly to both the State and our office database.
Also, our department was chosen as one of six counties to test a
new program that allows us to develop Quarantine Rejection
Notices on the computer and send the data directly to the state. All
of these procedures have resulted in saving time for our staff. We
are continuing to use and expand our e-mail and LAN systems
implemented last year.
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 Worker Safety and Pesticide Enforcement programs, staff
members have given classes and talks to various groups including the
California Nurseryman's Association, CalTrans, the Pest Control
15
Operator's of California as well as to local businesses, schools, and
garden clubs. We participate in giving educational seminars to
businesses and growers to help them understand and keep up with
regulatory changes.
Staff members also work with public and private groups to develop
Integrated Pest Management plans and Biological Controls. Over 28
biological weed control sites have been developed by staff members on
public and private lands to control noxious weeds within the county while
reducing the need for pesticide use.
The Department works to control high ground squirrel populations 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
encounter include.-
Agricultural
nclude: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.
16
Growers, homeowners, and brokers requesting information and
certification inspections to ship items 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.
Customer Relationships
The relationship of the Department with businesses and growers is
primarily on a regulatory basis. Growers who need Restricted Materials
Permits make appointments each year to meet with staff as they need to
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.
17
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 870,700 and our
budgeted Net County Cost for 96/97, 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 73 cents per resident.
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 1995/96).
80 76.5
70
59.78
60
50 45.79 46.79
40 37.53 36.65
31.95
30
20
10
0
Alameda Contra Santa Clara San Mateo San Marin Solano
Costa Francisco
Cost per Person Hour to Provide Weights & Measures Services
18
The Weights & Measures programs are completely based on consumer
protection. A higher percentage of their programs are funded through
county general funds. As a result, a great deal of emphasis is placed on
efficient delivery of services.
Aariculture
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 1995/96 (state draft report):
95/96 Pesticide Enforcement
10 9.7
9 7.9
8 v:::.. ....
s.s Pre-application
6
i:'v'{y:
P
Ins ections
4
s ❑ Application Inspections
ions
(] 1.2
_-:•:
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.
19
The Department also places emphasis on pest 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 facet that Contra Costa County residents
were impacted by two pest eradication programs during the 1980's.
Today's mobile society increases the chance of new pest introductions.
For example, Alameda County detected Gypsy Moth in 1993, 1994 and
1996. They also detected Japanese Beetle and Oriental Fruit Fly in
1996. Our staff detected a single Oriental Fruit Fly in the City of Concord
in 1995. Fortunately no infestations of these exotic pests have become
established as a result of these introductions.
The quality of the work performed by our staff is represented by the chart
below. The chart illustrates 1993, 1994 and 1995 Gypsy Moth inspection
data and compares the County average against the State and Bay Area
counties.
%of Shipments Found Infested
14
O State 12.3
12
❑Bay Area Counties
10 Contra Costa County
9 4iI i`i
6
6 :,:....
4 3.5
uli:
,i
2
1.2
u
0 j
:IM w:N6itu.N.ti:ii
1993 1994 1996
* Bay Area average is based on data from Contra Costa, Alameda,
Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano counties.
20
In 1995, our staff inspected only 3% of the shipments which came into
the state from high hazard areas. During this same period we made over
30% of the state's interceptions of Gypsy Moth 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 an urban growth rate in agricultural areas which
has averaged over 10% per year over the last 10 years, we 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 currently have the same number of Weights & Measures positions
as the Department had in 1959. This is despite an increase in workload
which has been created by a county population growth of over 462,000
during the last 37 years. In 1973, the Department used 10 staff members
to inspect 3,301 premises and test 2,241 retail gasoline pumps. In 1996,
we were able to inspect 4,072 premises and 4,813 retail gasoline pumps
with 7 staff members.
While we have been successful in maintaining high production with fewer
staff, there is concern that continually asking staff to do more with less
has its limits. One reason we have been successful in handling heavier
workloads has been due to a highly trained professional staff. Currently
over 30% of our 25.2 full time equivalent staff members are in their mid
50's to early 60's so the Department will be facing a loss of highly trained
people over the next few years. Our success in filling vacant positions
and providing the necessary training for new staff will impact our ability
to maintain these workloads.
21
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.
Increasing state regulations and population growth have caused our
Department to place more and more restrictions on how and when
pesticides can be used. Other county agencies increase fees and permit
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 to pay fee increases levied on them
by government agencies. The County needs to remember that providing
services to agriculture helps to preserve a local industry which benefits
all by maintaining our quality of life, open space, and environment.
These services do not just benefit an individual grower.
New Directions
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 also working to
develop IPM pilot programs within two of the County's school districts.
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 have been adopted to mitigate use of certain
materials in Eastern Contra Costa County. This process is expanding to
address concerns for other species such as the Salt Marsh Harvest
Mouse, California Red-legged Frog, Giant Garter Snake, and the
Alameda Striped Racer.
A new California Plane Coordinate mapping system for our Pest
Detection Trapping program was initiated in 1996. We were one of the
first counties in the state to change over to this system which will be the
22
statewide standard in the future. We anticipate the transition will be
complete by the end of 1997. This standardized mapping system will
facilitate our insect trapping and eradication programs throughout the
county and state.
Animal Damage Control concerns are being raised in many areas of the
state. As more land is preserved for protection of certain animals and
the urban sprawl gets closer to rural areas, complaints begin to escalate.
In our County we have inquiries from farmers, ranchers, residents, park
rangers about the control of coyotes, squirrels, feral pigs, skunks,
raccoons, and even an occasional mountain lion. Our Department is
involved in regional planning with other agencies concerning this
problem.
The Department will continue to look forward to meeting future
challenges by working proactively with the public, industry, and other
government agencies.
23