To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure, Economic Development
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth District
Title:
Title
Disbursement of Fiscal Year 2024-25 Tidelands Leases Fund in Support of Black Cod Week
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Budget Resolution increasing appropriations by adjusting the FY 2024-25 Tidelands Leases Adopted Budget by $14,000 for costs associated with promotion of Black Cod Week.
(Fifth District) (4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Public Infrastructure Department (SPI), in collaboration with the Sonoma County Hospitality Association, Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma County Economic Development Board, and District 5, is requesting approval of a Budget Resolution increasing appropriations by adjusting the FY 2024-25 Tidelands Leases Adopted Budget by $14,000 for costs associated with promotion of the new Black Cod Week. Fund balance from the Tidelands Leases Fund (11101) will be used as the revenue source. This funding will support efforts to seek long term sustainability solutions for the local fishing fleet.
Discussion:
With the collapse of the salmon fishery, the closure of the rock cod fishery beyond 50 fathoms during a significant portion of the year, and the continued late start and gear restrictions of the Dungeness crab season, Sonoma County fishers, fishmongers, grocers, and restaurants have experienced significant economic loss. Black cod is an abundant, sustainable, and delicious fishery which, due to the nature of take and the depth of take, are not affected by the issues closing or restricting other fisheries.
Tidelands funds refer to revenues received from public trust lands, which include tideland areas, submerged areas, estuaries, and beds of navigable waters. Under the Public Resources Code (PRC) 6306(c), such revenues in general may “be expended only for those uses and purposes consistent with the public trust for commerce, navigation, and fisheries.”
Through a partnership with the Sonoma County Hospitality Association, Sonoma County Tourism, and Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB), the proposed funding will enable a new “Black Cod Week” initiative to showcase this fish in local restaurants, with the goal of broadening the exposure of locals and tourists and stimulating more demand for Sonoma County’s black cod fishery. The requested $14,000 will fund costs associated with EDB and Sonoma County Tourism promotional activities to coordinate “Black Cod Week” and associated fishery commerce. There is sufficient fund balance to support this one-time need and use of the funds is consistent with the statutory public trust restrictions.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$14,000 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
$14,000 |
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
$14,000 |
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$14,000 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This item requests approval for a budget resolution to move $14,000 from available Tidelands Leases Fund (11101) balance. Should these funds be approved, approximately $517,536 will remain as available fund balance. Funds will be used for costs associated with EDB and Sonoma County Tourism promotional activities to coordinate “Black Cod Week” and associated fishery commerce. Any necessary adjustments to EDB’s revenue or expenditure appropriations will be included in an upcoming Consolidated Budgetary Adjustment item.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.