TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: UC Cooperative Extension: Dr. Monica Cooper - Department Head
REPORT BY: Jessica Sandoval - Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Request For Approval and Authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No. 230181B between the County of Napa and The Regents of the University of California to enter into a Cost-Sharing Agreement to support a UCCE Project Scientist: Water Resources and Resiliency
RECOMMENDATION
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UC Cooperative Extension Napa requests the approval and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No. 230181B between the County of Napa and The Regents of the University of California to enter into a Cost-Sharing Agreement for a maximum/annual contract amount of $115,000 for the term July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 to support the work of a UCCE Project Scientist specializing in Water Resources and Resiliency.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
UC Cooperative Extension Napa requests the approval and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No. 230181B between the County of Napa and The Regents of the University of California to enter into a Cost-Sharing Agreement to support a UCCE Project Scientist: Water Resources and Resiliency Scientist. The University and County have a long history of working cooperatively in furtherance of the University’s constitutional objectives of teaching, research and public service. The term of this Agreement shall be from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, with opportunity for annual renewal in July of 2023 and 2024, for a total of 3-project years. The County has already approved the budget allocation of $115,000 for during the June 2022 FY22-23 budget hearings.
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? |
18000-52120 Agricultural Services |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
This is not a mandated program and is voluntary in nature. Funding was already approved for FY 22-23 as Napa County has a vested interest in ensuring a stable and reliable water supply for all stakeholders and encouraging water resiliency across our diverse ecosystems. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Approved cost for FY 2022-23 is $115,000. If the Agreement is renewed annually, projected personnel costs for FY 2023-24 are $118,450 and for FY 2024-25 are $122,000 (3% annual cost of living adjustment increase). |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Napa County would not have use of the Project Scientist’s research, developed resiliency strategies, and public policy outreach specific to the improvement of local water resources of Napa County. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Vibrant and Sustainable Environment |
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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.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
UC Cooperative Extension Napa requests the approval and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No. 230181B between the County of Napa and The Regents of the University of California to enter into a Cost-Sharing Agreement to support a UCCE Project Scientist: Water Resources and Resiliency Scientist.
The University and County have a long history of working cooperatively in furtherance of the University’s constitutional objectives of teaching, research and public service. The UCCE Project Scientist position will work to develop creative research and collaborations, and to extend research-based information in water resources & resiliency to the Napa County community.
As a primarily rural area with a strong agricultural economy and commitment to open space, Napa County has a vested interest in ensuring a stable and reliable water supply for all stakeholders and encouraging water resiliency across our diverse ecosystems. The Project Scientist will be based at the UC Cooperative Extension facility in Napa County and will be responsible for developing technical research and a diverse outreach program focused on water resources and water resiliency across Napa County’s ecosystems, including agriculture, forestry, open space and urban.
The Project Scientist will interface with agriculturalists, public agencies, non-profit organizations, urban water users, and the public, as well as existing technical committees such as Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (NCGSA) and the Watershed Information Center (WIC). The Project Scientist will acquire and share technical knowledge of surface and groundwater resources in Napa County, promote stewardship of these resources to meet the needs of competing users and natural systems, and work collaboratively to develop water resiliency strategies that can be implemented by stakeholders across the region.
For FY 2022-2023 and FY 2023-2024, funding support for salary and administrative expenses (office space, vehicle, etc.) will be provided by Napa County, with an option to renew support for FY 2024-2025, based upon demonstrated outcomes and impacts. Personnel costs (salary and benefits) for FY 2022-23 are $115,000. Projected personnel costs for FY 2023-24 are $118,450 and for FY 2024-25 are $122,000 (3% annual cost of living adjustment). The County has already approved the FY 22-23 expenditure during the June 2022 budget hearings and this amount is currently allocated in the UCCE department budget account: 18000-52120: Agricultural Services.
The term of this Agreement shall be from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, with opportunity for annual renewal in July of 2023 and 2024, for a total of 3-project years.