DATE: September 22, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Melissa Cregan, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures
SUBJECT: Amendment to Revenue Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute First Amendment to revenue Agreement No. 24-0469-039-SF with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Program, to extend the term by one year from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and increase the maximum by $383,366 to a total of $1,467,633.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost (NCC) associated with the recommended action, which will increase the maximum amount of funding in the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) Program Agreement (Agreement) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) from $1,084,267 to $1,467,633 and extend the termination date of the Agreement from September 30, 2026, to September 30, 2027, which will support ongoing program operations. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the Department will not receive additional funding from the CDFA for GWSS Program activities and the Agreement will expire on September 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in NCC associated with the recommended action, which will increase the monetary amount of the Agreement by $383,366, to a total of $1,467,633. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Agriculture Org 4010 FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico, GWSS was first reported in California in 1994. This sharpshooter builds up large populations on a diverse array of host plants and is an aggressive flyer, traveling greater distances than native sharpshooters.
Pierce's Disease (PD) is a deadly disease affecting grapevines, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, and is spread by insect vectors including GWSS. Once infected with PD, entire vines will die within one to five years.
The first detection of GWSS in Fresno County was made in 1998, and in 2000, the Department initiated a survey and treatment program to suppress the pest with the goal of limiting its spread and protecting commercial grape growing areas.
On April 22, 2025, your Board authorized the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures (Ag Commissioner) to approve and execute specific revenue agreements with CDFA for FY 2025-26. As such, the Ag Commissioner executed the Agreement with CDFA on October 6, 2025, total not to exceed approximately $1,084,267. Additionally, your Board authorized the Ag Commissioner to amend the same agreements for any potential increase or decrease to the maximum compensation not exceeding the greater of 15% or $10,000.
In May of this year, over 10,000 potentially infested grapevines were sold throughout the non-infested areas of California. In response to this event, trace-forward and survey activities have identified additional infested areas, requiring the statewide GWSS Program administered by CDFA to seek additional funding to support program activities. In order to preserve options to distribute additional funding as it becomes available, CDFA has elected to extend the term of the Agreement rather than enter into a new agreement. The recommended Amendment will provide approximately $383,366 in additional funds, which will allow the Department to continue program activities.
The recommended Amendment is before your Board for consideration because the increase to the Agreement would be greater than $10,000 or 15% of the original Agreement amount and exceeds the delegated authority of the Ag Commissioner.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #27, April 22, 2025
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to Agreement No. 24-0469-039-SF with CDFA
CAO ANALYST:
Amy Ryals