(60) Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer of Weights & Measures
Recommended Budget FY 23/24
Department Overview
The mission of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures is to promote and protect San Benito County's agricultural industry, protect the environment, protect the general public, and provide consumers, buyers, businesses and sellers a fair marketplace. The Department accomplishes this mission by conducting regulatory and service activities pertaining to the agricultural industry and all retail and wholesale establishments of San Benito County by the enforcement of applicable State laws and regulations established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Divisions
Strategic Plan Focus Areas
- Operational Development and Excellence
- Technology
- Community Engagement
- Healthy and Safe Communities
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.
Top Departmental Concerns
• Emerging pests detrimental to agricultural crops and the environment
• 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
• Staffing of Agricultural Commissioner and Mosqquito Abatement
• 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
• To become fully staffed in order to provide services beyond our legal mandates, such as becoming an organic certifying agency for cannabis under the new O-Cal program
• Develop resources and expand outreach to non-English speaking customers• Addition of one (1) FTE regular position Agricultural Technician
• Facility cannot accommodate an increase in personnel