REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 25, 2024
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with The Town of Apple Valley for Provision of Animal Shelter Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-590, effective July 1, 2024, with the Town of Apple Valley, for the provision of animal shelter services in the unincorporated areas of the high desert region, increasing the amount by $1,174,418, from $1,110,122 to a total amount not to exceed $2,284,540, and exercising a one-year extension option, for a total contract period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The cost of Amendment No. 1 (Amendment) to Contract No. 23-590 (Contract) will not exceed $1,174,418 which includes an increase of 4.3% based on the Consumer Price Index for the Riverside Area. $100,000 is being added to assist with the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release program, which will allow residents who trap stray cats living in the community, to be sterilized and vaccinated before being re-released. Costs associated with this Contract Amendment are paid for through currently budgeted Discretionary General Funding and revenue received from adoption and pet license fees. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) 2024-25 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DPH will continue to contract with The Town of Apple Valley (Apple Valley) to provide animal shelter services for residents in the unincorporated areas of the high desert region of the county, for a total contract period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. Shelter services covered by the Contract include the care and housing of stray, abandoned, or surrendered animals.
DPH provides animal care and control services to residents throughout the unincorporated areas of the county and utilizes contracted shelters in outlying areas where the County does not own or operate an animal shelter. These facilities allow residents to adopt or be reunited with animals within their community, provides additional spaces for animals to receive care, as well as provides closer resources for animal control officers to drop off animals retrieved from the service area. In addition, these shelters collect licensing revenue and other fees on behalf of the County. The Contract allows Apple Valley to provide shelter for a maximum of 3,435 animals, per Contract year. Any additional animal admissions, beyond 3,435, are charged according to the additional percentage of the shelter used.
The recommended Amendment includes additional funding to explore expanding the hours the shelter is open to the public, establishing dedicated meetings between Apple Valley and the County to increase collaboration, enhancements to partnerships with rescue groups, increased public communication, and providing staff dedicated to assist with media campaigns and coordinating with rescue groups.
By partnering with Apple Valley to obtain services, the County is able to utilize a facility in the outlying region, which expands the County’s overall shelter capacity and allows more animals to receive care. At 36,000 square feet, Apple Valley currently has the only identified facility with adequate capacity to provide County shelter services in the High Desert. DPH recommends approval of the Amendment, and the one-year extension option, as the Contract will allow for the housing and care of animals in the high desert.
The County will continue to evaluate all viable options and available resources within the high desert region to ensure the continued provision of appropriate levels of care and support to both animals and residents in the area. Should additional opportunities arise, DPH will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) with recommendations.
On June 27, 2023 (Item No. 81), the Board approved the Contract with Apple Valley, for the provision of animal shelter services, in the amount not to exceed $1,110,122, for a one-year period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 24, 2024; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on April 24, 2024; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on June 5, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on June 8, 2024.