Title
Agriculture Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperative Service Agreement 18-7306-6574-RA (FENIX 3283) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services (USDA APHIS-WS) and County of El Dorado, for the retroactive term of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2023 and the Financial Work Plan retroactive term of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 in the amount of $64,260 for Fiscal Year 2018/2019, for the maintenance of an Integrated Wildlife Damage Management (IWDM) 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.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
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 contract is retroactive due to the County receiving the contract after July 1, 2018. 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.
The Wildlife Services program is a cooperative venture between El Dorado County and the USDA. In the past, the USDA was providing one full time employee at no county cost as a 50/50 match for the county’s one full time Wildlife Services employee. El Dorado and Siskiyou were the last two counties in the state that held this agreement with USDA. Through budget reductions at the Federal level, the USDA APHIS program has renegotiated contracts with all counties throughout the state for wildlife services. USDA had worked with the department to offset the charges over the last five years and this is the third year for full payment of $64,260 for the Financial Plan which was received by the Department on July 5, 2018. The Department has included this amount in the FY 2018/2019 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 of 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.
ALTERNATIVES
The Agriculture Department could hire another full time Wildlife Services employee at an additional cost above this Workplan price in the amount of $72,933 (based on actual Wildlife Services employee salary and vehicle usage included in the FY 18/19 budget of $137,193).
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Health and Human Services Animal Control Division, and RISK Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Agriculture Department's FY 2018/2019 Budget includes $64,260 for the Financial Workplan. This Workplan had a 2% increase over the last years amount of $63,000.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Chair to sign two original Cooperative Service Agreements and two Financial Work Plans.
2) Board Clerk's Office to return two original Cooperative Service Agreements and two Financial Work Plans to the Department.
3) Agriculture Department to distribute as appropriate.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Health and Safety
CONTACT
Charlene Carveth x5522