Title
Community Development Agency (CDA) and Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board consider adoption of an amended Board of Supervisors Policy G-3, Dead Animal Disposal, which upon adoption will terminate the Memorandum of Understanding between CDA and HHSA, regarding dead animal disposal on County roads, with HHSA now referring all dead animal calls on County roads to CDA for removal.
FUNDING: Contract Revenues, Fines, Permits, Fees for Service, Health Realignment, General Fund and Road Fund.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no Net County Cost associated with this item. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Community Development Agency's FY 2014-15 Recommended Budget, and will be included in future budgets for the cost of removal of dead animals on County roads and roadsides.
Background
In accordance with existing policy, the Department of Transportation is responsible for picking up dead animals on County roads. Currently, the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Public Health Division, Animal Services provides pickup of dead animals on County roads and roadsides on behalf of the Community Development Agency (CDA) under Board of Supervisors Policy G-3, Dead Animal Disposal, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies.
Animal Services' ability to provide timely and efficient services is affected by a variety of factors including increased workload and reduced staffing levels. Between FY 2009/10 and FY 2012/13 the number of dead animal pickups by Animal Services increased approximately 19%, while the number of Animal Control Officers (ACO) was reduced by 1.0 FTE in FY 2010/11. The ACOs prioritize calls for service and are not always able to respond to a dead animal on County roads or roadside pickup requests timely if a dangerous animal, animal at large, bite related incident or other time sensitive call is received. On occasion, dead animal pickups require two ACOs to respond, which impacts other services performed by Animal Services. HHSA is not reimbursed for the ACO's time spent responding to calls for dead animal pickup on County roads or roadsides when the carcass cannot be located upon arrival. Pickup of dead animals on County roads and roadsides requires time consuming documentation by the ACOs and additional staff time is spent reviewing the documentation to ensure accurate billing to CDA.
Reason for Recommendation
CDA and HHSA are recommending adoption of an amended Board of Supervisors Policy G-3 to clarify responsibilities in regards to disposal of dead animals within the County and make other minor changes to reflect current practices and County department name changes. The amended policy clearly assigns responsibility for dead animal pickup on County roads and roadsides to CDA.
Upon adoption of the amended policy, the MOU between CDA and HHSA will be terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement and Animal Services will refer any calls received regarding dead animals on County roads or roadsides to CDA for removal.
The discontinuance of dead animal pickup on County roads and roadsides by Animal Services will allow Animal Services to focus on timely responses to critical services such as dangerous animals, animal bite incidents, and rabies reports.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
Upon approval, update the Board of Supervisors Policy Manual.
Contact
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director, Health and Human Services Agency
Steve Pedretti, Director, Community Development Agency