TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing & Community Services
REPORT BY: Alex Carrasco, Project Manager
SUBJECT: CSA4 Budget Amendment
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize a budget amendment to support the Housing Authority’s water treatment services. (Fiscal Impact: $29,688 Expense; County Service Area No.4 Fund; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
A budget amendment is required to increase appropriation to the Housing Authority’s water treatment services for ongoing operation of the county-owned farmworker center public water systems as the centers transition to a new water treatment operator. In May, the existing operator (Environmental Aqua) proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 that included a 36% increase in operational expenses over the previous year. This increase is deemed unsustainable and unfeasible for the farmworker centers. Staff released a request for proposal and have chosen a new vendor (Natural Systems Utilities CA, Inc.).
Requested Action:
1. Approve a Budget Amendment to increase appropriations by $29,688 in 56100-Transfers Out in Fund 2810 CSA4, offset by use of fund balance. The related Transfer In revenue detail is included on a separate agenda item in the Housing Authority.
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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Where is it budgeted? |
County Service Area No. 4. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
To ensure safe drinking water at County-owned farmworker centers and routine maintenance of public water systems. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
To be budgeted in Fund 5060, Housing Authority. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The water systems would be out of compliance with State law and the centers would be closed due to health and safety issues. |
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.