1996-0701_ORANGE, COUNTY OF_G1a_Agenda Report AGENDA ITEM June 18, 1996
TO: George Scarborough, City Manager
FROM: Jennifer Murray, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of Renewal of Agreement with County of Orange - Animal Control and
Shelter Services for FY 1996-97
RECOMMENDATION:
Move to approve the Agreement with the County of Orange for Animal Control Services during the
period of July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997.
SITUATION:
The City's agreement with the County of Orange for Animal Control Services is set to expire June
30, 1996. Pursuant to this agreement, County Animal Control staff have been providing services
which include animal rescues, animal sheltering, emergency response, impound actions, field
investigations, and quarantine actions. A new agreement with the County of Orange has been
prepared for the 1996-97 fiscal year and is attached. This agreement proposes no changes from the
services which are currently offered or performed.
Summary of Contract Components
Services provided in the contract include field services such as patrol, impounds of stray animals, pick
ups of injured animals, cruelty investigations, bite investigations, impound of dead animals for
disposal, citizen contacts for information regarding wildlife or other animal concerns, and responses
to service request calls from law enforcement and city officials.
The contract also includes special services such as pet and facility licensing, inspections, and low cost
vaccination clinics. A final component of the contract is for shelter services. Shelter services are
provided at the County shelter in Orange.
The County of Orange provides animal control services for 21 incorporated cities and the
unincorporated areas of the County. Additionally, the contract cities provide 4 of 7 members of the
Financial/Operational Advisory Board. This Board reviews operational matters and assesses cost
recovery options with the goal of keeping Animal Control service cost effective for the cities.
FOR CRY COUNCIL AGEKer
Agenda Item 2
Evaluation of Service
Staff believes the services provided by Orange County Animal Control during the 1995-96 contract
year have met the intent of the contract and have been provided in a professional and humane manner.
The contract with the County has proven to be a cost efficient way for the City to meet its animal
control obligations. Orange County Animal control staff provides information to the City on a
quarterly basis about the types and number of service hours provided in San Juan Capistrano.
As was discussed last year, some neighboring cities are beginning to choose other ways to provide
for animal control and sheltering services. The City of Mission Viejo withdrew from the County
system in 1994. The City of Laguna Niguel began contracting with Mission Viejo last year, and the
Cities of Dana Point and San Clemente created a Joint Powers Authority for Animal Control on
January 1, 1996. The decisions of these other cities to withdraw from the County system was driven
by desires to provide shelter services closer to their populations and to provide for pro-life shelter
policies. In the case of San Clemente, they were never a part of the County system.
In San Juan Capistrano, animal control issues have been driven by a cost of service basis. Generally,
the revenues received by the City through dog licenses, shelter fees and other fees provides for
approximately 60% cost recovery.
Staff has contacted San Clemente and Dana Point to review whether there is an opportunity for this
City to gain greater cost efficiency and cost recovery were we to join with them. There are some
differences in the animal control issues. For example, San Juan Capistrano has equestrian and
livestock issues, Dana Point and San Clemente have marine issues. Also, Dana Point and San
Clemente use a different method for canvassing neighborhoods for collecting license fees.
Dana Point and San Clemente started their joint animal control effort in January, 1996. Staff has been
discussing their progress, and will continue to evaluate whether their method of service delivery and
cost recovery provides an opportunity for San Juan Capistrano to gain an even greater cost
effectiveness. Based upon discussions to date, we expect we will be able to present to the City
Council a proposal for consideration at some point in the future. Until such time, staff recommends
the City Council approve the contract with Orange County Animal Control for the upcoming fiscal
year.
COMMISSIONBOARD REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Not applicable
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The cost of the contract is determined by the County on a "best guess basis" about the quantities of
various types of services ( such as animal shelter days and hours of field patrol) needed in the
Agenda Item 3
upcoming fiscal year. The estimated gross cost for animal control service during the upcoming year
is $111,288. This represents an increase of approximately 4% from the estimated gross costs for
1995-96. This cost is greatly offset by revenues credited to the City based on shelter impound fees
and licensing fees. Estimated revenues for the upcoming fiscal year are $65,552. The County uses
service data from prior years to assist in making provisional cost estimates. Final payment to the
County is based upon the actual amounts of specific services rendered.
After a contract year concludes a city may receive a credit if it has paid for more services than were
rendered, or it may receive a debit if it received more services than it initially paid for during the
contract year. Also, cost history from two years prior is taken into consideration. San Juan
Capistrano has been fortunate to receive credits for a number of years. The City will receive a $1,462
credit as a final adjustment to contract costs from FY 1994-95, and a credit of$1,205 for 1995-96.
The City budgets the cost of the contract not on the full estimated cost, but upon an adjusted cost
amount that takes into consideration final credits or debits from the two prior years. Based upon this
adjusted cost amount, $43,069 is needed to provide for animal control services for the 1996-97 fiscal
year. This provisional payment is approximately 27% higher than last year's provisional payment of
$33,965. Animal Control staff have indicated the increase provisional payment is due to decreased
revenue received from licensing fees as more pets are spayed and neutered. The cost to license an
altered pet is substantially lower than for an unaltered pet. The proposed FY 96-97 budget has
allocated sufficient funds for this contract cost.
NOTIFICATION:
Orange County Health Services Department, Division of Animal Control
ALTERNATE ACTIONS:
1. Move to approve the Agreement with the County of Orange for Animal Control Services
during the period of July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997.
2. Request additional information from staff.
Agenda Item 4
RECOMMENDATION:
Move to approve the Agreement with the County of Orange for Animal Control Services during the
period of July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997.
Respectfully submitted,
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M. Murray, DPA
Assistant to the City Manager
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Attachment Proposed Agreement
Attachment: Agreement for Animal Control and Shelter Services