To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
title
Supplemental Budget Increase in the Amount of $30,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 due to Receiving Grant Funding from the California Department of Conservation through it Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program for a Natural and Working Lands Carbon Stock Inventory and Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study. (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the supplemental budget (Attachment 1) for $30,000 in the Advance Planning budget unit 1100-282. (4/5 Vote Required)
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 5001 - Enhance climate adaptation landscapes and communities
DISCUSSION:
This is a request to allocate additional funds the Planning & Building Department - Advance Planning budget unit due to receiving funds from a grant to initiate work on the Natural and Working Lands Carbon Stock Inventory and Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study.
On June 24, 2025, your Board adopted Resolution 25-118 (Attachment 2) which authorized the Director of Planning and Building to submit a grant application to the California Department of Conservation (DOC) through its Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program and execute a standard agreement in the name of the County of Humboldt. On Oct. 10, 2025, the DOC awarded the county grant funding in the amount of $500,000 for a Natural and Working Lands Carbon Stock Inventory and Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study, which aims to develop a better understanding of the existing and future carbon sequestration capacity in Humboldt countywide. The project would have a lifespan of three years.
On Feb. 12, 2026, the DOC fully executed the Grant Agreement Number 3025-903 (Laserfiche ID CM-2362) (Attachment 3) which approved the county’s work plan and budget. The grant budget includes $100,000 in fully burdened staffing costs and $400,000 for consultant services. While certain types of projects from this funding source allow grantees to claim indirect costs, the planning grants (which is the type of grant to which this agenda item is related) for this funding source does not allow indirect costs. There is a local match required in the amount of $50,000. This is being provided as an in-kind match from the General Fund for Planning staff time on project activities. The supplemental budget is required for billing to the project and requesting reimbursement from the DOC. The supplemental budget for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 has been determined by staff to be $30,000.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
SALC Grant (506310) - Funding for the SALC Program is provided by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and is administered by the DOC. The SALC program is part of the California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative funded through GGRF that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work, reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment - particularly in Disadvantaged Communities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1100-282) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$260,000 |
|
Supplemental Budget Requested |
$30,000 |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
$260,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1100-282)FY25-26FY26-27 Projected* |
|
|
|
General Fund |
|
$25,000 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$30,000 |
$235,000 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
Total Funding Sources |
$30,000 |
$260,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Staff anticipate that the expenses for the first year of the project (the remainder of the 2025-26 fiscal year) will be approximately 30% of the grant budget allocated to staff time, or $30,000. The supplemental budget reflects this. Activities related to this grant will be recorded in the Advance Planning budget unit (1100-282).
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
The supplemental budget will allow the department to expend funds and request reimbursement from DOC for initiating the study related to this grant
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the supplemental budget for staff work on the grant project with the DOC. However, this alternative is not recommended as grant funds have been awarded to the county and the supplemental budget is needed for staff to be reimbursed for work on the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Supplemental Budget
2. BOS Resolution 25-118
3. Grant Agreement 3025-903
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: June 24, 2025
File No.: 25-745