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Human Resources Department recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the negotiated Letter of Agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of El Dorado and the Operating Engineers Local No. 3 representing employees in the Trades and Crafts Bargaining Unit to memorialize and implement negotiated provisions regarding a pilot Wildlife Trapper Canine Stipend.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
County of El Dorado (County) and the Operating Engineers Local No. 3 representing employees in the Trades and Crafts (TC) Bargaining Unit (Collectively, the Parties), have an executed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the period through June 30, 2024. Though the term has expired, the MOU provisions, except where specifically stated, remain in effect status quo until replaced by a successor MOU or agreement.
The County contracts with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA Trapper) for wildlife damage management services. The USDA Trapper supports the County’s Wildlife Specialist and provides necessary equipment, including trained working hounds (canines), for the provision of services. However, the continued availability of the USDA Trapper is uncertain due to the current fluidity of federal government contracts and their ability to retain or hire personnel for use as contractors. Because mountain lion activity has presented an increased safety concern within the County following a confirmed fatality in 2024, and numerous attacks on and loss of livestock and domestic animals, the Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures has a current need to ensure the continuity of working hounds that may be used to supplement the canines provided by the USDA Trapper.
Though the Parties are currently engaged in good faith successor MOU negotiations, the Parties have separately met and conferred in good faith regarding the establishment of a pilot initiative for the use of County’s Wildlife Specialist incumben...
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