Title
a. Receive a presentation from Management Partners summarizing the findings and recommendations from the feasibility study for operating the County’s and City of Salinas’ animal shelters as one single program; and
b. Provide direction to County staff regarding continuing discussions with the City of Salinas for implementations outlined in the study.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation from Management Partners summarizing the findings and recommendations from the feasibility study for operating the County’s and City of Salinas’ animal shelters as one single program; and
b. Provide direction to County staff regarding continuing discussions with the City of Salinas for implementation of recommendations outlined in the study.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The City of Salinas and County of Monterey each operate animal services divisions and facilities in close proximity to each other. Both divisions provide a full range of animal control functions including field services, licensing, and shelter operations. The City’s Animal Services function is operated and overseen by the Salinas Police Department and provides services attendant to animals located within city limits. The County’s Animal Services function is operated and overseen by the Environmental Health Bureau of the Monterey County Health Department and provides services attendant to animals located within the unincorporated portions of the County.
In August 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved the Monterey County Health Department’s (MCHD) and the City of Salinas’ collaborative feasibility study for operating the County and City animal shelters as one single program. The feasibility study has been conducted and identifies options with strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats attendant to various models for combining City and County animal shelters and animal services programs. The attached report summarizes the results of the entire study, makes recommendations, and is submitted for the Board of Supervisor's consideration. The Board is requested to provide direction to staff about whether to continue discussion with the City of Salinas and whether to explore options for operational cost savings and efficient delivery of animal services to the City and County.
A summary of these findings resulted in four options for consideration:
Option A: Sharing of one Operations Director for both programs;
Option B: Sharing of one Operations Director and the consolidation of field services;
Option C: Sharing of one Operations Director, consolidating field services, licensing and administrative services; and
Option D: Full consolidation of both programs under one City/County program.
After careful consideration and discussion of these options with City and County representatives, Management Partners determined that options A, B, and C did not provide for sufficient economies of scale to generate mutually beneficial cost savings. The next viable option to meet the needs of both programs, and one that would generate mutually beneficial cost savings would be to consider full consolidation through the creation of a joint powers authority (JPA).
In addition to the consideration of a JPA for possible development, Management Partners identified consolidation possibilities such as the alignment of fees, animal services codes and regulations, sharing of veterinary services, and integration of animal services data programs which, in Management Partners’ view, could be immediately implemented.
Direction as to whether to continue discussion with the City of Salinas to explore a JPA and whether to consider any next steps as outlined in the summary report is requested. The results of this discussion and any recommended action will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at a later date for consideration and approval.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City of Salinas City Manager and Police Service Administrator/Animal Services Manager have reviewed the study findings and will submit these recommendations to the Salinas City Council for direction and recommendations
FINANCING:
Costs for the feasibility study were incurred in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Animal Services Budget (4000-HEA001-8442) and were shared jointly with the City of Salinas.
Prepared by: Robin Kimball, Management Analyst I, 1297
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 4526
Attachments:
Management Partners Report on Feasibility Study on file with the Clerk of the Board
Power Point Presentation on file with the Clerk of the Board