To: Board of Supervisors
From: Agricultural Commissioner
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Supplemental Budget for Budget Unit 1100261 - Funding to Purchase a 4 x 4 Vehicle for Cannabis Cultivation Site Inspections (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached supplemental budget for budget unit 1100261;
2. Direct the Auditor-Controller to execute the attached supplemental budget; and
3. Donate the purchased 4 x 4 vehicle to Motor Pool.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Track and Trace Program Revenue
DISCUSSION:
Under the county’s Cannabis Cultivation Land Use Ordinance the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is responsible for performing local cannabis cultivation site inspections and is also contracted with the California Department of Food and Agriculture CalCannabis Enforcement Branch to perform state license inspections. It is well known that a significant number of cannabis cultivation sites are located in remote areas of Humboldt County. Since the Commissioner’s Office began conducting cultivation site inspections it has become apparent that many of these sites located on gravel roads require a 4x4 vehicle to safely and reliably travel to and from the cultivation site. Commissioner’s office staff have on more than one occasion needed assistance from the permittee to become unstuck or have traveled to a cultivation site in the permittees 4x4 vehicle due to the road conditions and the inadequacy of all-wheel drive vehicles in these situations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The FY 2018-19 motor pool cost for a 4x4 vehicle is $36,000. The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office collects $.05 for each track and trace stamp sold to participants in the county’s CalOrigin Track and Trace Program. Revenue generated through track and trace stamps sales was intended to offset Agricultural Commissioner’s Office costs for implementation and oversight of the track and trace program, and to support economic development of the cannabis industry. As of December 2018, the county has sold 2,830,400 stamps generating $141,520 in revenue. The vehicle is the only cost the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office expend from the stamp revenue in FY 2018-19. The remaining stamp revenue will be transferred to the County Administrative Office - Economic Development Team for branding, marketing and other efforts to support the cannabis industry.
The recommended actions supports the Board’s Strategic Framework by enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents, and supporting business, workforce development and creation of private-sector jobs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose to not approve this request, but this is not recommended since the commissioner’s office requires an additional 4x4 vehicle to fulfill our cannabis cultivation site inspections role.
ATTACHMENTS:
Supplemental Budget in 1100261- 4/5 vote required
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A