To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Executive Office
Meeting Date: December 16, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Darcie Antle |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Department Contact: |
Steve Dunnicliff |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regents of the University of California - Agriculture & Natural Resources (UCANR) for the Provision of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Program with a Term to Begin Upon Signing by UCANR and Ending June 30, 2031, and an Estimated Total Contribution from the General Fund of $1,436,808 Over that Term
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Approve the MOU with the Regents of the UCANR for the provision of the UCCE Program with a term to begin upon signing by UCANR and ending June 30, 2031, and an estimated total contribution from the General Fund of $1,436,808 over that term; and authorize Chair to sign same.
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Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
The County’s current relationship with UCANR for provision of the UCCE Program is based on an MOU approved September 23, 2003 (BOS Agreement No. 03-446)
Summary of Request:
The UCCE in Mendocino County is part of a statewide system that makes UC research-based information available to local agencies, industries, and the public. Their mission is to sustain vital agriculture, environment, and community in Mendocino County by providing University of California (UC) research-based information on management, nutrition, and youth development. Their programs operate through a unique partnership between the County, the UC system, support from USDA, and other private funds. Backed by the resources of the UC campuses, their educational programs use practically applied research to solve community problems. They consult with individuals and organizations, conduct research on local problems, publish newsletters, produce information for mass media, and conduct seminars and workshops.
The County’s relationship with UCANR has existed for decades, with the current MOU having been approved in 2003. Funding to the UCCE has been historically provided through Budget Unit 6210 (FA). This new MOU was developed with the UCCE Director and will result in an improved partnership between both entities.
The enhanced partnership will increase the UCCE’s operational resiliency, while reducing County costs and potentially improving services. Under the terms of this new MOU, specific County employees will no longer be permanently allocated to the UCCE Program. Instead, the Ag Department will assign up to .5 FTE in staff support toward technical tasks related to the UCCE Programs and provide backup customer service support for members of the public needing assistance. The County will begin making defined funding contributions to partially offset the cost of new employees that the UCCE will hire and manage, and the County will receive access to the Rod Shippey Hall facility at the Hopland Research and Extension Center for two events each year. The County will provide the UCCE with support related to the County’s financial and reporting systems, including processing payments and assisting with annual budget development, fiscal reporting, and internal County financial documentation. This new MOU addresses the County’s commitment to and the utilization of vehicles most efficient for any normal use. Accordingly, the MOU specifies more fuel-efficient vehicles than are currently in use. The MOU also specifies that the UCCE can occupy a specified portion of the Ag Department building at 890 N. Bush Street, with shared use of additional portions of the building. The UCCE has occupied this same space since 2003.
The MOU lists Education Code section 32330 as statutory support for the Board’s appropriation of funds to UCCE. In addition, Government Code section 26227 allows for the Board to appropriate and spend money, as well as make available County real property, to fund and assist programs deemed by the Board to be necessary to meet the social needs of the County, including in the areas of health, welfare, and education. The UCCE has served the social needs of the County for decades in this same building and the County has no current alternative needs for the space used by UCCE.
Overall, this new partnership will provide the UCCE with greater operational resiliency and control over their programs, maintain the UCCE services for the County & community, allow the County to reduce two FTE staff positions, reduce General Fund expenditures, and further increase the fuel efficiency of the County’s vehicle fleet.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Thriving Economy
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: <https://ucanr.edu/county/mendocino-county/about-us>
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: General Fund allocated through BU 6210 (FA) |
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current f/y cost: $346,705 in General Fund (GF) was allocated to the UCCE Budget Unit (FA) in FY 24/25. Due primarily to staff vacancies made possible through trial implementation of this new partnership, FA is anticipated to be under budget in FY 24/25 by approximately $125,000. |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: The recurring GF contribution is approximately $235,000 in FY 25/26, with additional anticipated operational cost increases of 3% each year related to utilities, fuel, insurance, etc. |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): Yes |
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revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Executive Office
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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