TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Tracy Cleveland - Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures
REPORT BY: Jaspreet Faller - Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Consider any Objections or Protests, and to Adopt a Resolution Imposing Assessments on Behalf of the Napa County Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District
RECOMMENDATION
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Conduct a public hearing to consider any objections or protests with respect to the assessments proposed for the District for FY 2025-26 and adopt a Resolution authorizing and levying assessments for FY 2025-26 on qualifying properties. (Fiscal Impact: $385,000 Revenue; General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
In August 2002, the Napa County Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District (District) obtained authorization from owners of properties containing one or more acres of planted vineyards (“qualified property owners”) to levy an assessment of up to $20 per acre to fund the detection, prevention, and treatment of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) and Pierce’s Disease through partially funding the Napa County GWSS work plan.
In 2006, qualifying property owners voted to expand the scope of the District to include activities to control other winegrape pests in addition to GWSS and Pierce’s Disease. Currently the District collects assessments for the funds of a Vine Mealybug control program, an Enhanced Detection Trapping program, as well as a portion of the GWSS prevention and detection program, UCCE research, and outreach and education.
In 2022, the District was reauthorized for an additional five years until March 26, 2027. Each year, an Engineer’s Report is prepared to verify parcels with vineyard acreage subject to the assessment, ownership information and the amount of the assessment for each parcel.
The proposed assessments are based upon allocation of program costs over all properties subject to assessment within the District - approximately 47,095 acres - which varies slightly from year to year. The FY 2025-26 Engineer’s Report recommends the levy of assessment in the amount of $541,593 for a per acre assessment of $11.50.
Assessment funds that are collected are placed into a special revenue fund and disbursed by the District Board of Directors. A fiscal year trust account balance of approximately $89,600 from FY 2024-25 will result in total funds available in the amount of $631,200 for FY 2025-26 which is the revenue amount used in the District’s budget.
The total estimated cost for the Agricultural Commissioner to implement the FY 2025-26 Napa County GWSS work plans, the Vine Mealybug program, Enhanced Detection program and outreach is $884,550 with direct funding coming from the Department of Food & Agriculture ($180,000), the County ($231,000), and the proposed assessments ($473,550).
Requested Action:
1. Open Public Hearing to consider any objections or protests with respect to the assessments proposed for the District for FY25-26; and
2. Close Public Hearing and adopt a resolution authorizing the levying assessments for FY25-26 on qualifying properties in the District.
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? |
Agricultural Commissioner |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The revenue from the assessments is used in combination with State funding and the County General Fund as a financial partnership developed to prevent Pierce’s Disease and the spread of GWSS and other winegrape pests. Program activities include the placement and inspection of traps, inspection of all incoming plant shipments, release of biological control, and education and outreach. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
While there is no direct future fiscal impact beyond FY 2025-26, it is anticipated that the District will continue to participate in a financial partnership, for the activities related to GWSS, Vine Mealybug, and other potential pests and diseases of winegrapes. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If this item is not approved, there would be a decrease in the level of service for these programs, a higher risk establishment of GWSS and the spread of Pierce’s Disease, an increase in the spread of Vine Mealybug, and possible damage from other pests and diseases of winegrapes in Napa County. |
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The formation of the District and original imposition of assessments was analyzed in a Negative Declaration adopted March 2002, and the instant activity is further statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations 15273 (State CEQA Guidelines) in that the assessments are utilized to assist in funding the Agricultural Commissioner’s programs related to winegrape pests and diseases.