To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Office of the County Executive
Staff Name and Phone Number: David Guhin, Dori Estrella, 707-565-6478
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
California Green Business Network Pollution Prevention Grant
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the County Executive, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Green Business Network to accept $7,000 in grant funding for pollution prevention technical assistance and Green Business Certification activities in Sonoma County through December 31, 2027.
B) Adopt a Budget Resolution amending the FY 2026-27 Office of the County Executive’s Budget by $7,000 to recognize grant award and program expenditure appropriations to execute the grant requirements.
end
Executive Summary:
The County Executive‘s Office Energy and Sustainability team, which administers the Sonoma County Green Business Program, has been awarded $7,000 through the California Green Business Network (CAGBN) to support pollution prevention technical assistance and Green Business Certification for local automotive repair and autobody businesses. The funding is provided through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Prevention (P2) grant administered in partnership with the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The grant will allow the County to expand outreach and provide technical assistance to at least 10 businesses, with a goal of achieving Green Business Certification for at least five of those businesses. Technical assistance will focus on pollution prevention practices and wastewater management. Participating businesses may also be eligible for rebates of up to $500 to help offset the cost of implementing eligible pollution prevention improvements.
To receive the funding, the County must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CAGBN outlining program responsibilities, performance goals, reporting requirements, and payment terms. The agreement is effective through December 31, 2027, with program activities and certification goals scheduled for completion by June 2027. Staff requests Board authorization to execute the MOU and accept the $7,000 in grant funding to implement the program.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Green Business Program assists local businesses in adopting environmentally sustainable practices through technical assistance, education, and certification. The program is part of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN), a statewide partnership of local governments and organizations working to conserve resources, prevent pollution, and support a more sustainable local economy.
CAGBN has received funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through CARB to implement a Pollution Prevention (P2) program focused on small and independent automotive repair and related businesses. Through this funding, CAGBN is partnering with local Green Business Programs to provide industry-specific technical assistance, support environmental improvements, and increase participation in Green Business Certification.
The County of Sonoma has been awarded $7,000 to implement these activities within Sonoma County. The grant will support outreach, recruitment, technical assistance, certification services, coordinator training, and required reporting. Energy & Sustainability staff will work directly with eligible automotive repair and autobody businesses to identify opportunities to reduce pollution, improve wastewater management, and implement sustainable business practices.
The grant establishes the following program goals and deliverables:
• Provide pollution prevention technical assistance to at least 10 businesses by June 2027, including review of applicable pollution prevention and wastewater measures.
• Achieve Green Business Certification for at least five participating businesses by June 2027.
• Complete at least one business case study documenting program activities and outcomes.
• Complete required coordinator training and conduct outreach and recruitment of eligible businesses.
• Submit progress reports and a final report documenting program accomplishments and grant deliverables.
• Assist participating businesses with rebate documentation and verification for eligible pollution prevention improvements.
Participating businesses may qualify for rebates of up to $500 to help cover the cost of eligible improvements. Rebates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to funding availability. CAGBN will distribute rebate payments directly to businesses after receiving the required receipts and supporting documentation.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
9/15/2026: Approved agreements between Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma Office of the County Executive, and the Sonoma County Valley Sanitation District and County of Sonoma Office of the County Executive to fund the Green Business Program. Costs were $120,000 and $80,000 respectively; term end for both is June 30, 2030.
07/19/2022: Approved amended agreements between Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma General Services Department, and Sonoma County Valley Sanitation District and County of Sonoma General Services to fund the Green Business Program. Costs were $120,000 and $80,000, respectively; term end for both is June 30, 2026.
03/16/2021: Approved amended agreements between Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma General Services Department, and Sonoma County Valley Sanitation District and County of Sonoma General Services to fund the Green Business Program. Costs were $120,000 and $80,000, respectively; term end for both is June 30, 2022.
02/06/2019: Approved agreements between Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma General Services Department, and Sonoma County Valley Sanitation District and County of Sonoma General Services to fund the Green Business Program. Costs were $60,000 and $40,000, respectively; term end for both is June 30, 2021.
05/08/2018: Approved agreements between Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma General Services Department, and Sonoma County Valley Sanitation District and County of Sonoma General Services to fund the Green Business Program. Costs were $30,000 and $20,000, respectively; term end for both is June 30, 2019.
05/19/2015: Approved agreements between Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma General Services Department, and Sonoma County Valley Sanitation District and County of Sonoma General Services to fund the Green Business Program. Costs were $100,000 and $60,000, respectively; term end for both is June 30, 2017.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY28-29 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
7,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
7,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
7,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
7,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Grant activities align with the ongoing work of the Sonoma County Green Business Program. Energy & Sustainability staff will incorporate the additional outreach, technical assistance, and certification activities into their current workload.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
There are no anticipated staffing impacts.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Memorandum of Understanding: Pollution Prevention Technical Assistance & Green Business Certification Program
Attachment B: FY 2026-27 Budgetary Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.