DATE: July 8, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer/Director of Emergency Services
SUBJECT: Extension and Termination of a Local Emergency - Beet Leafhopper Insect in Fresno County
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution extending to July 31, 2025, and terminating on August 1, 2025, the Local Emergency proclaimed by the Director of Emergency Services to combat the Beet Leafhopper insect. Such Local Emergency was initially proclaimed on April 2, 2025, ratified by the Board of Supervisors on April 8, 2025, and extended by the Board of Supervisors on May 20, 2025.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will extend the local emergency status in the County related to the Beet Leafhopper (BLH) insect through July 31, 2025, and terminate such local emergency status on August 1, 2025. The areas affected are mainly in the west side of the County, but this item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may elect to continue the local emergency for up to 60 days, based on the need for continuing the local emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to Government Code, section 8630 and Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, the Director of Emergency Services proclaimed the existence of a local emergency on April 2, 2025 due to the imminent infestation of the BLH insect, which allowed commercial growers to use neonicotinoid pesticides on tomato crops on an emergency basis to combat the BLH insect and prevent tomato crop failure in the County.
On April 8, 2025, your Board confirmed the proclamation of a local emergency by ratifying the proclamation and adopting Resolution No. 25-0298.
On May 20, 2025, your Board adopted Resolution No. 25-147 proclaiming and further ratifying the continuation of the local emergency.
Pursuant to Government Code section 8630(c) and Fresno County Ordinance Code Chapter 2.44, your Board shall review the need to continue or terminate the local emergency at least once every 60 days. The current review period concludes on July 19, 2025.
Additionally, Government Code section 8630(d) states that the local emergency shall be terminated at the earliest possible date when conditions no longer warrant it.
Due to the continued presence of the BLH insect as well as the late season plantings of both fresh market and processing tomatoes, it is necessary to extend the emergency to protect tomato crops, including these late plantings, from the BLH during the time by which the crops are more susceptible to BCTV infestation.
After a thorough review of the data and consultation with local experts, including the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner, the Director of Emergency Services has determined the infestation of the BLH insect will no longer pose a threat to tomato crops within the County after July 31, 2025; therefore, it is recommended that your Board extend the local emergency until July 31, 2025 and terminate the local emergency declaration effective August 1, 2025.
The recommended Resolution states that nothing in it shall operate, or be interpreted, to preclude or otherwise limit the Director of Emergency Services, after consulting with the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner, to resume proclaiming the existence of a local emergency if the County is affected by or likely to be affected by the BLH, the vector of BCTV, as a public calamity, if your Board is not in session, or your Board from ratifying the proclamation by the Director of Emergency Services, or adopting a resolution proclaiming the local emergency status.
If the recommended action is approved by your Board, the Director of Emergency Services, or their designee, will provide a copy of the Resolution to the State Office of Emergency Services.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
May 20, 2025, BAI #34
April 8, 2025, BAI #8.1
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Amy Ryals