TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services Agency
REPORT BY: Jennifer Ivancie, Staff Services Analyst I
SUBJECT: Agreement No. 250000B for a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Regional Public Health Laboratory (NSYM PHL)
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250000B to enter into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for a contract maximum of $178,326 per fiscal year for Fiscal Years 2025-2029 for the operation of Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Regional Public Health Laboratory. (Fiscal Impact: $178,325 Expense; Health and Human Services Agency Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
In 1998 the Board of Supervisors entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) with Solano County to establish a regional Public Health Laboratory (PHL). Under the JEPA, Solano County provides complete PHL testing as required by Napa County, courier services for the pickup and delivery of specimens and results, and laboratory reporting, statistical analysis, and other reports or services as requested by Napa County.
In the two and half decades since then, additional amendments to the JEPA included adding additional counties and revising the amount of annual compensation that counties provide to Solano County for these services to be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Approval of this JEPA will:
• Continue joint operation of the PHL for a new three-year term from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027, with an automatic renewal to June 30, 2029 unless any party unless any party gives written notice to the contrary.
• Remove Mendocino County from the joint PHL.
• Change the name of the lab to the Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Regional Public Health Laboratory (“NSYM PHL”).
• Increase the compensation costs that Napa County provides Solano County from $137,308 to $155,394.28 annually, with each subsequent year increasing by an amount equal to the CPI.
• Increase Napa County's proportional maximum fiscal year contribution to replace laboratory equipment if determined necessary by the majority of JEPA to 13.1% of $100,000 ($13,109.43). The intention of this provision is to ensure that the NSYM PHL equipment is replaced once it has reached the end of its useful life or has become significantly obsolete due to changes in technology or purchase a new equipment that is urgently needed to respond to a public health emergency. If not used, then the remaining amount will not accrue to following fiscal year.
• Increase Napa County's proportional maximum fiscal year contribution to maintain laboratory equipment to 13.1% of $75,000 ($9,821.43). The intention of this provision is to ensure that the NSYM PHL equipment is regularly maintained. If not used, then the remaining amount will not accrue to following fiscal year.
Since its establishment, the PHL has functioned well and served both the public and HHSA staff and programs. The Laboratory has been a model of regionalization of a vital, yet costly public health resource. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PHL provided excellent levels of service and accommodated Napa County's need for expanded testing.
The proposed agreement is being presented to the Board of Supervisors of each of the four counties for approval.
Solano County is the lead agency and approved the agreement May 9, 2024.
Requested Action:
Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250000B to enter into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) for a contract maximum of $178,326 per fiscal year for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025-2029 for the operation of Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Regional Public Health Laboratory (NSYM PHL).
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Health and Human Services Agency Public Health |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
While there is no mandate to enter into this agreement with Solano, Yolo and Marin counties, a joint operation of PHL provides significant cost savings due to increased efficiency in the use of personnel, equipment, and facilities. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
This Agreement contains a provision for automatic annual renewal. Appropriations have been included in the requested Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget and future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, Napa County will be without the use of the PHL. This will severely compromise communicable disease control and response to emerging diseases, both mandated functions of public health. |
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.