REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 1, 2026
FROM
JANKI PATEL, Acting Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Veterinarian Master Employment Contract Template
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Veterinarian Master Employment Contract template for Public Health Veterinarians, from the effective date, as defined in the contract template, through September 9, 2027, with the option to extend the term for two successive one-year periods.
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Health to execute the individual employment contracts and amendments to extend the term for a maximum of two successive one-year periods, on behalf of the County, subject to County Counsel review.
(Presenter: Janki Patel, Acting Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Enhance Readiness for Major Emergency Responses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Veterinarian Master Employment Contract Template (Contract Template) identifies compensation at the rate of $180.00 per hour and is funded by the current Discretionary General Funding allocation with the Department of Public Health (DPH) Animal Care Division and revenue generated from fees collected for animal licenses and adoptions. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the 2026-27 DPH budget and will be included in the future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended Contract Template will allow DPH to maintain the flexibility needed to obtain Public Health Veterinarians required to support County animal shelter facilities, including the Mobile Veterinary Clinic, Devore Animal Shelter, Big Bear Animal Shelter, and as needed, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo or other County animal care sites. Maintaining this flexibility will also extend to the future San Bernardino County Animal Center, anticipated to begin operations in 2027. This flexibility will help ensure timely access to animal care services and meet operational needs.
Services provided under this Contract Template include spay and neuter surgical procedures, diagnosing illnesses and injuries in animals, developing treatment plans, prescribing and/or administering medications, performing other surgical procedures when necessary, and implementing disease prevention measures. As regional demand for veterinarian services continues to grow, the recommended Contract Template enables DPH to efficiently secure qualified veterinarians to provide services and meet the growing needs of the Animal Care Division and improve the well-being of animals in need.
On March 25, 2025 (Item No. 43), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the previous version of the Contract Template, effective March 25, 2025 through September 9, 2027. Recommendation No. 1 approves a new Contract Template for DPH to hire veterinarians for animal care at County animal shelter facilities. This Contract Template supersedes the Contract Template approved by the Board on March 25, 2025, and includes updates to the previous version of the Contract Template, including updates to the hourly rate of pay, benefits, and maximum hours of service.
The Contract Template will be effective from the first day of a pay period after: 1) both parties sign and approve; 2) successful completion by both parties of background and on-boarding processes; and 3) satisfaction of Section V., Paragraph F, “Evidence of Eligibility to Work” is satisfied. The Contract Template is valid through September 9, 2027, and may be extended for two successive one-year periods, subject to County Counsel review.
Recommendation No. 2 authorizes the Director of the DPH to execute and amend individual Contract Templates, including term extensions, on behalf of the County, subject to County Counsel review. The Contract Template for consideration supersedes prior approved templates.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 13, 2026; Human Resources (Jose Mancilla, Employment Division Chief, 387-6080) on August 17, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on August 12, 2026.