TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Steven E. Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Michael Karath, Staff Services Analyst II
SUBJECT: SCSD - Budget Transfer for Unanticipated Irrigation and Landscape Costs
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Public Works requests approval of a Budget Transfer increasing appropriation by $8,000 in Landscaping Services (2850-2850000) with the use of its available fund balance in connection with unanticipated irrigation and landscape costs for the Silverado Community Services District (SCSD). (4/5 vote required)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Director of Public Works is requesting an $8,000 budget transfer from available fund balance to landscape services for unanticipated irrigation and landscape costs. The complete reconstruction of Island No. 27, a large, long landscape island in the SCSD that was destroyed in the 2017 wildfires, requires about $2,000 for unanticipated landscaping costs and SCSD staff is seeking a budget transfer of $8,000 total to cover any other unanticipated costs through the end of FY22.
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? |
Fund 2850, Org 2850000 Account 52340 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The cost of completion of Island No. 27 reconstruction necessitates increased funding for unanticipated landscape and other costs. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The available fund balance after the budget transfer is processed is projected to be $130,685 at the end of FY22 (including $40,000 budget transfer in October 2021 and proposed $8,000 budget transfer) from $175,685 at the end of FY21. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Island No. 27 will not be completed and will continue to be an eyesore in the community. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
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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
Landscape Island No. 27 in the Silverado Community Services District was completely destroyed in the 2017 wildfires. It has been an eyesore in the community ever since. The SCSD Advisory Committee has made reconstruction of the island a top priority in recent years, as rebuilding of properties close to the island are nearing completion.
SCSD appropriated $40,000 from the available fund balance in October 2021 to pay for the first of three phases of the reconstruction of Landscape Island No. 27. SCSD budget constraints meant the project would have to be spread over several years to complete. In January 2022, County Counsel informed SCSD staff that the County’s policy concerning prevailing wage had changed to include special districts. The cost of Phase 1 (eight Napa chip stone planter boxes, seven European olive trees, and supporting irrigation) of the project thus increased to $53,000 from $40,000.
On March 4, 2022, the Silverado Property Owners Association (SPOA) offered to fully fund Phase 2 (drought-resistant plantings and supporting irrigation for entire island) at $28,100. With the combination of SPOA’s contribution and SCSD keeping general landscape repair costs low throughout the year, funds were now available in the FY22 budget for completion of Phase 3 (final phase), which entails the installation of solar lighting and finish mulching of the entire island at $10,900. Also included in Phase 3 is a $6,000 expense incurred in Phase 1 caused by an unexpectedly high cost of materials.
In sum, the entire project will cost $98,500. This includes $70,400 total for SCSD [Phase 1 $53,500; Phase 2 $10,900; and Phase 3 $6,000] and $28,100 paid for by SPOA). With completion of the project, this leaves the overall SCSD FY22 budget with about $2,000 of unanticipated costs. Given surging inflation, which impacts labor rates and materials for projects, SCSD staff is seeking a budget transfer of $8,000 for any other unanticipated costs to the end of FY22.