(60) Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer of Weights & Measures

Recommended Budget FY20/21

Department Overview

The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures promotes and protects San Benito County's agricultural industry, protects the environment, protects the general public, and provides consumers, buyers, businesses and sellers a fair marketplace.

Divisions

Ag Comm/Sealer W&M
Mosquito Abatement

Strategic Plan Focus Areas

  • Operational Development and Excellence
  • Technology
  • Community Engagement
  • Healthy and Safe Communities
Detailed Information can be found here: Strategic Plan Overview

Staff

Recent Departmental Accomplishments

  • Protection of the County’s and State’s agricultural economy from serious non-native pests that could be artificially introduced through pest detection trapping surveys.
  • Provided outreach and training to growers and ranchers of new laws and regulations.
  • Inspected and certified over 750 measuring & weighing devices to ensure fair business practices and consumer protection during financial transactions involving weight, count or measure.
  • Participated in the development of the County ordinance regarding industrial hemp.

Top Departmental Concerns

  • Production Agriculture and Urban Interface.
  • Increasing demand of resources managing the industrial hemp regulatory program.
  • Recruitment and Retention of Agricultural Biologists.
  • Vacancies, Succession Planning and Staff Development.
  • Sharing of staff with mosquito abatement and cannabis activity is impacting the agricultural and pesticide programs.
  • Maintain the maintenance of effort (MOE) required as required to receive unclaimed gas tax (UGT) subvention.

Long Range Planning Goals (3-5 years) For Department

  • Be an organic certifying agency for cannabis under the new O-Cal program.
  • Addition of one (1) FTE regular position Agricultural Technician.
  • Facility cannot accommodate an increase in personnel.