TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Tracy Cleveland - Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures
REPORT BY: Jaspreet Faller - Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Accepting the Engineer’s Report for the Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District and Setting a Public Hearing on the Proposed Levy Assessment
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution accepting the FY25-26 Engineer’s Report for the Napa County Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District, set a public hearing with respect to notice requirements for the proposed assessment, and designate County staff to answer any questions pertaining to the proposed assessment. (Fiscal Impact: $541,600 Revenue; Pest District Fund; Budgeted; Mandatory)
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BACKGROUND
In 2002, the Board of Supervisors established the Napa County Winegrape Pest Disease and Control District (NCWPDCD) to assist in funding of the inspection, detection, and education of Pierce’s Disease as stated in the Napa County Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) work plan with the goal of preventing the spread of Pierce’s Disease by GWSS. In 2006, property owners subject to the assessment approved the NCWPDCD’s use of assessments for activities included in the Commissioner’s Vine Mealybug (VMB) work plan and for any other potential winegrape pests. Assessment funds are used to pay for the cost of visually inspecting plant material entering the County to ensure it is free from GWSS; placing and inspecting GWSS, VMB, Sentinel Moths, and Spotted Lantern Fly (SLF) monitoring traps; developing an emergency rapid response program in the event GWSS is discovered in the community; releasing biocontrol agents to manage VMB populations; and educating the citizens and businesses of the community about the threat these pests pose to our agricultural economy.
Pursuant to Napa County Code section 3.54.040, an Engineer’s Report for the NCWPDCD dated April 23, 2025, has been prepared and submitted to the Clerk of the Board by Kristin Lowell, Inc. The proposed assessments are based upon the allocation of program costs over all properties subject to assessment within the NCWPDCD (i.e., parcels of one or more planted vineyard acres - approximately 47,095 acres). The assessments will be utilized to assist the funding of the Napa County GWSS work plans, VMB work plans, Sentinel trapping work plan, SLF trapping work plan, research by UCCE, and outreach and education. The report recommends a levy of an assessment for FY25-26 in the amount of $541,593 for a per acre assessment of $11.50.
The NCWPDCD Board conducted a public meeting on March 12, 2025 and adopted a budget reflecting the above figures. The total estimated cost for the Agricultural Commissioner to implement the Napa County GWSS work plan and related district activities for FY25-26 is approximately $884,550 with funding coming from the California Department of Food & Agriculture, the County and the proposed assessments. If State funding for the County’s GWSS program were reduced, the Pest District Board, Department and County would have to determine which of the previously funded State components would need to continue to best safeguard the integrity of the County’s GWSS prevention efforts. In addition, the District Board, Department and County would also have to identify funding for any activities for which State funds were no longer available.
It is important to note that the requested action before the Board today involves accepting the Engineer’s Report as presented and calling for a public hearing in order to levy assessments to pay for the NCWPDCD Board’s recommended FY25-26 budget. The NCWPDCD Board currently has limited amount of funds in reserve, which if authorized, by the NCWPDCD Board, could be used to supplant some program expenditures. In addition, the NCWPDCD Board has the authority to raise the per-acre assessment to the maximum $20 per-acre allowed by law. If something happens in the future, the County and NCWPDCD Board will have to reconvene, prepare an amended budget and recommend that a special assessment be levied to cover any increased costs that might result from a lack of State funding for the program.
Requested Action:
1. Accept the Engineer’s Report for the Napa County Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and the proposed levy assessment for the district;
2. Set a public hearing for June 3, 2025 at 9:00am to hear protests to the establishment of the proposed assessment;
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to comply with the requirements of Article XIII D of the California Constitution with respect to notice requirements for the proposed assessment; and
4. Designate County staff to answer questions regarding the assessments and protest proceedings.
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? |
The Engineer’s Report recommends the levy assessment for FY2025-26 in the amount of $541,600 which is deposited into a special designated account held with the Auditor (9512-9512000). In addition, the Agricultural Commissioner budgets a portion of the collected assessments ($385,000) as revenue which the Department receives after the District Board authorizes payment from the special designated account for services provided by the Agricultural Commissioner. The remaining collected assessment funds are used to pay for other authorized expenses. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
There is no fiscal impact beyond FY2025-26 |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If the Board does not approve the requested actions, the process to levy the assessment and schedule the required public hearing will not occur, thus the levying and collection of assessments cannot occur, resulting in no funding to operate the activities for the NCWPDCD. |
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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.