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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept, with gratitude, a donation of $25,000 from the Donald Rhoades Estate for restricted use to the County of El Dorado Pet Aid Fund, to support efforts by the HHSA Animal Services (AS) Program; and
2) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Chief Assistant Director, to execute further document(s), related to this donation, on behalf of the AS Program.
FUNDING: 100% Donation received from the Donald Rhoades Estate.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In February 2025, HHSA AS received notification from the executor of Donald Rhoades’ Estate regarding a restricted donation of $25,000. The donation is designated specifically for the County’s Pet Aid Fund to support AS operations. These funds will help offset the costs of veterinary services and animal sheltering, allowing AS to provide enhanced support for animals in the County’s care.
As mandated by the State of California, AS is responsible for taking in stray animals and providing rabies control, pursuant to El Dorado County Ordinance Title 6, Section 6.08.011. This donation, if accepted by the Board, will be deposited into the Pet Aid Fund to support the operations of HHSA AS across both slopes of El Dorado County and to support the care needed to improve the adoptability of animals.
With Board approval, HHSA AS will gratefully accept this donation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could direct HHSA to decline the donation. Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide required services to animals and the community, however, would require more use of General Fund to support required activities.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This donation will help defray the cost of providing veterinary treatment and supplies to facilitate making treatable animals adoptable as needed. There are sufficient appropriations in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Budget and FY 2025-26 Budget request within the Pet Aid fund for this donation. Any portion of the donation that remains unspent during FY 2024-25 will be accounted for in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and included appropriately at that time.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to provide one Certified Minute Order to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Rd, Suite B.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency