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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of veterinary services provided by Contractor are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7597 with Crossroads Veterinary Hospital, APC with a not-to-exceed amount of $81,635, for the retroactive term beginning April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2026; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, to execute further documents relating to Agreement 7597, including amendments, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING: 15% Fees for Services, 9% Licensing/Permit Fees, 7% Public Health Realignment, and 69% Net County Cost and in some cases 100% Pet Aid Special Revenue Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Animal Services is required pursuant to Penal Code section 597.1 to provide routine care and emergency treatment to animals in the County’s care and is the primary investigatory agency responsible for enforcement of animal crimes laws (Penal Code Section 597 and other Penal Code Sections). To ensure availability of emergency veterinary services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and to alleviate transporting injured animals too far, Animal Services has multiple contracts for services with licensed California veterinarians.
Crossroads Veterinary Hospital, APC (Crossroads) provides expert testimony, prescriptions, advice and recommendations, Spay/Neuter of Dogs pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code Section 30503, and Spay/Neuter of Cats pursuant to Food and Agricultural section 31751.3. Crossroads also has a veterinarian willing to go on-scene when a cruelty case is investigated, write written reports, and testify in seizure hearings and/or criminal proceedings. Crossroads is readily available for officers when emergencies arise. They offer emergency examinations as required by Penal Code at a greatly reduced cost, and additional care to include surgery making the animal adoptable. They spay or neuter as required by Food and Agricultural Code prior to adoption and alleviate animal pain and suffering via prescribed medication or euthanasia. With the coordination of their services more animals have a chance of adoption, and are lowering the number of fertile animals in the community.
Agreement for Services 7597 has a retroactive term of April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2026. Staffing shortages within the Animal Services department resulted in this oversight and HHSA is working to build in safeguards to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Any lapse in services would be detrimental to the treatment of the animals needing this level of care.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through other existing contracts with veterinary hospitals. Animal Services would lose the exceptional discounts that they currently receive from this vendor and lose expert testimony on animal abuse and neglect criminal cases.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Bear 2022-23 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement. The agreement is funded by 15% Fees for Services, 9% Licensing/Permit Fees, 7% Public Health Realignment, and 69% Net County Cost and in some cases 100% donations held in the Pet Aid Special Revenue Fund.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original Agreements for Services 7597.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency