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Consent-Law & Justice Services # 14.
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| Board of Supervisors |
Sheriff-Coroner/Public Administrator |
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| Subject |
| Adopt budget resolution to amend the Sheriff's Office, Animal Services Section 2019-20 budget by $20,000 in order to implement a pilot program for enhanced animal services in the City of Davis. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Lopez/Johnson) |
| Recommended Action |
| Adopt budget resolution to amend the Sheriff's Office FY 2019-20 budget by $20,000 in order to implement a pilot program for enhanced animal services in the City of Davis. |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Operational Excellence
Thriving Residents |
| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
On April 9, 2019, the City Council of Davis authorized its City Manager and the City Council subcommittee members Brett Lee and Lucas Frerichs to engage in discussions regarding the possible formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for animal services in Yolo County. During the initial JPA formation discussions, participating jurisdictions indicated interest in potential service enhancements that could be implemented on a short term basis and would run concurrent with JPA and shelter discussions presently underway.
Using feedback from Davis residents, the City Manager of Davis and Davis represented subcommittee members met with Sheriff Lopez to discuss potential short term service enhancements for Davis and provide information for the JPA effort. Sheriff Lopez returned with a proposal for a pilot program focusing on three activities that would augment the services currently provided by the Animal Services Section:
- Mobile Adoption Events at the Stephens Branch Library. The Sheriff’s Office proposes to hold a monthly event at the library in Davis. This event would be staffed with Sheriff’s Office employees and volunteers, and would serve as a venue for community outreach concentrating on providing humane education and showcasing animals in need of adoptive homes.
- Enhancing the Foster Program. Well-trained foster homes provide a path to the successful re-homing of shelter animals. The Sheriff’s Office proposes to add six weekend or evening classes for Foster Dog Training to the existing monthly volunteer orientation schedule. These classes would give members of the Davis community who are interested in fostering a shelter animal, an opportunity to develop such skills. Skills include introducing shelter animals to the public and potential adoptive households, teaching basic dog obedience, managing dogs successfully at adoption events, and reinforcing the importance of visibility in the community to provide placement opportunities for adoptable animals. Each additional class would be four hours long and would be staffed by Sheriff's Office employees.
- Increasing Social Media. The Sheriff’s Office proposes to create more community involvement and visibility in Davis by increasing its presence on social media. Additional outreach would include highlighting people and animals in current events, lost and found efforts, and sharing stories of animals in need at the shelter via electronic media. It is estimated that an additional five hours per week will be added to the social media efforts currently conducted by Sheriff’s Office staff.
After a one-year period of the pilot program, the Sheriff's Office will report the outcomes of these service enhancements to the city. The data collected will help inform the broader discussions occurring among all of the JPA partners. Results will be shared with all jurisdictions so they may ascertain the potential value add in. It is the expectation of both the City of Davis and the Sheriff’s Office that these enhanced services will have a positive impact on animal adoption rates.
The Sheriff's Office proposal estimated a cost of $18,766 for one year of the pilot program. On July 30, 2019, the City of Davis approved a budget adjustment of $20,000 to fully fund the pilot program. The $20,000 reflects the full cost of the proposal plus a buffer for fine tuning during implementation. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| Sheriff's Office staff met with representatives of the City of Davis to discuss implementation and funding of this pilot program. Animal Services staff have been in discussion with Davis Library representatives as to the feasibility of hosting an event on library property. County Counsel has approved the attached resolution as to form. |
| Competitive Bid Process |
| The competitive bid process does not apply to this Recommended Action. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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Explanation (Expenditure and/or Revenue) |
| Further explanation as needed: |
| There is no associated cost to the County by approving the budget resolution. The City of Davis has appropriated $20,000 in unallocated general fund reserves that will fund 100% of the cost of the pilot program. |
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