TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian D. Bordona - Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Michael Parker - Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Budget Adjustment for Wildlife Conservation Commission
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve a Budget Amendment to increase appropriations in Community Grants with use of fund balance to allow the Wildlife Conservation Commission to fund additional annual grant applications. (Fiscal Impact: $10,000 Expense; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
The Wildlife Conservation Commission (WCC) is an eight-member commission that advises the Napa County Board of Supervisors on funding proposals that preserve and enhance Napa County wildlife and their habitats, pursuant to California Fish and Game Code §13103.
The Commission is comprised of four members representing the Public at Large, one Sportsperson/Angler, one Wildlife/Conservation representative, one youth representative between the age of 15 and 25, and one Planning Commission representative. The Commission is tasked with advancing the protection, conservation, propagation, and preservation of fish and wildlife in Napa County.
In August of every year, the WCC holds a regular meeting to conduct annual grant application reviews and to develop funding recommendations. The WCC receives $50,000 per fiscal year in General Fund monies to fund grant applications within Napa County. Additional funds are provided by the Department of Fish and Wildlife court fines and settlements, as well as local fines and settlements that are intended for this specific purpose. Receipt of court fines serve as an unstable, irregular source of regular for the WCC. Over the past few fiscal years, the WCC has built up a small fund balance from the receipt of these court fines.
For the 2024-25 Fiscal Year, the WCC planned on awarding $50,000 in grant awards. Due to an increase in court fines over the past few years and growing fund balance, the WCC and the Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services requests the Board approve a budget amendment increasing appropriations by $10,000 in Community Grants (Fund 2120, Org 2120000, Acct 54805), offset by use of available fund balance, for the purpose of distributing a combined total of $60,000 in grant awards in Napa County for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Requested Action:
Approve a Budget Amendment to increase appropriations in Community Grants with use of fund balance to allow the Wildlife Conservation Commission to fund additional annual grant applications.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The WCC grants support wildlife conservation and other related projects consistent with State guidelines. Funding for grants is provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife court fines and local settlements that are intended for this specific purpose. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
No future fiscal impact beyond the current fiscal year. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If this budget adjustment is not approved, the WCC fund balance will continue to go unused. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California
Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.