Title
Agriculture Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperative Service Agreement 23-7306-6574-RA (FENIX 7627) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services and County of El Dorado, for the retroactive term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028 and the Financial Work Plan retroactive term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 in the amount of $81,576.90 for Fiscal Year 2023-24, for the maintenance of an Integrated Wildlife Damage Management program to protect residents, property, livestock, crops, and natural resources from damage caused by predator and other nuisance wildlife.
FUNDING: General Fund and Unclaimed Gas Tax.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Wildlife Services program is a cooperative venture between El Dorado County and the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA). In the past, the USDA provides one full time employee and the county has one full time Wildlife Services employee. The USDA-APHIS program has negotiated contracts with many counties throughout the state for wildlife services. USDA had worked with the department to offset the charges to our county allowing us to utilize the expertise and special equipment provided through USDA APHIS licenses with Fish and Wildlife for the past twenty plus years. The Department has included this amount in the FY 2023-24 approved budget.
There are two types of protection offered under this program with the main goal to control only the animals that are causing damage or injury, and providing technical assistance in wildlife damage prevention: 1. Urban animal damage. These calls involve home owners who have skunks, raccoons, or other wildlife that have taken up residence in the vicinity of their home, and are causing property damage or are a threat to either pets or human health and safety. 2. Farmers and ranchers with livestock, crop and/or property loss. Typically, these calls involve both domestic and wild animal attacks on agricultural land.
The Agriculture Department recommends approval of the Cooperative Service Agreement to ensure the continued assistance in resolving wildlife damage problems and protect health and safety in El Dorado County. This Agreement also allows for cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Services (formerly the Department of Fish and Game) (CDF&W). APHIS-WS is a federal agency with a broad mission that includes carrying out wildlife damage management activities. In recent years USDA-APHIS has maintained an effective IWDM program to resolve conflicts with wildlife throughout the County. APHIS-WS is available and qualified to conduct the wildlife damage management services necessary to accomplish the County’s goals. USDA provides the Environmental Protection Agreement to ensure the continued assistance in resolving wildlife damage problems and protect public health and safety in El Dorado County. USDA insures safety and professionally utilizes approved wildlife damage management tools/equipment including firearms silencer, advanced specialized traps only through USDA and their affiliation with CDF&W.
This contract is retroactive due to the Department routing the contract through FENIX and not realizing the signature amounts had changed effective 6/29/23.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could not approve the agreement and the department would need to hire an additional full time Wildlife Services employee to do the work. The approximate cost would be $196,000 for salary and vehicle.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The Board has approved this Cooperative Service Agreement in it's entirety on 10/9/18 (item 18-1527), with the continuation of the agreement through 6/30/2023. The Financial Plan is approved on an annual basis. It was approved by the Board on 10/9/18, and thereafter signed by the Purchasing Agent as it met the criteria for signature up until the discovery of an error that restricts the authority over the amount of $75,802. This reduction came on the day of the approval process, and explains the retro request by the department.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Health and Human Services Animal Control Division, and RISK Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATIONS / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Agriculture Department's FY 2023/2024 Budget includes $81,576.90 for the Financial Workplan.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Chair to sign one original Cooperative Service Agreement and one Financial Work Plan.
2) Board Clerk's Office to return one original Cooperative Service Agreement and one Financial Work Plan to the Department.
3) Agriculture Department to distribute as appropriate and will returned fully executed documents to the Board of Supervisors
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Health and Safety
CONTACT
LeeAnne Mila (530) 621-5520