2021-24 Riverside County - Animal Field & Shelter ServicesCity of La Quinta
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: June 15, 2021
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA TITLE: APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF
RIVERSIDE FOR ANIMAL SHELTER, FIELD AND LICENSING SERVICES
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021/22
RECOMMENDATION
Approve agreement with County of Riverside, as drafted, for animal shelter,
field, and licensing services for fiscal year 2021/22; authorize City Manager to
approve minor revisions to the agreement that do not alter the intent of the
agreement, if requested by the County; and authorize the City Manager to
execute the agreement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
•Since 2016, the City has contracted with Riverside County Department of
Animal Services (RCDAS) for animal shelter, field, and licensing services.
•This agreement is effective from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, with two
(2) automatic annual renewals through June 30, 2024, if mutually agreed
upon by both parties.
•The RCDAS new administration has modified the agreement template.
Due to the limited time provided to review and approve a final version
prior to expiration, staff is requesting approval of agreement as drafted,
with Council granting City Manager authority to make minor non-
substantive revisions.
•All service levels remain the same.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost for fiscal year (FY) 2021/22 is $285,000, this is based on
the new rates adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 8, 2021 and
scheduled to go into effect on July 8, 2021. Compared to last year’s budget,
the new estimated cost is 27% higher. These rates will increase once more
next fiscal year to accomplish full cost recovery.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 8
151
The contract amount is included in the Code Compliance Budget (account no.
101-6004-60197). Revenue from dog licensing fees collected by the County
will be credited back as a reduction on the monthly statement. In FY 2021/22,
the licensing fee revenue is estimated to be $40,000.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
In 2016, the City began to contract with RCDAS to provide animal services
including shelter, licensing, and field services. The contract includes a city-
dedicated Animal Control Officer, who is responsible for street patrol, related
animal enforcement, and community engagement, including but not limited to
citations, animal impoundment, shelter, and licensing services.
Both City and RCDAS staff work closely to ensure residents’ safety and
customer service are priorities. Services are evaluated on a regular basis to
add special programs based on community needs, such as early patrols at
hiking trails to encourage people to leash their dogs.
Main services included in this agreement are:
•One full-time animal control officer,
•After-hours emergency services,
•RCDAS dog license renewals,
•Access to Coachella Valley Animal Campus Center (Thousand Palms),
•RCDAS vehicle and equipment; and
•Option for extended services hours (e.g. weekend/holidays).
Currently, City staff continues to retain the administrative aspects of animal
bites, and vicious declaration hearings per La Quinta Ordinance 530. However,
RCDAS is requesting jurisdictions to adopt their County Animal Control
ordinances (534, 560, 630, 716, 771 and 878) within one (1) year of signing
this agreement, this is to streamline processes, increase efficiencies and
update practices to be in line with nationwide practices. Once County
ordinances are adopted, county will be responsible for the entire
administrative enforcement process. However, if a decision is appealed to the
Superior Court, or the City is otherwise sued as it pertains to animal
services, the City will be responsible for its own legal representation. In
addition, the agreement has additional changes related to the insurance
section, field and sheltering services that staff is currently negotiating with
the County. Due to the limited time provided to review and approve a final
version by both parties, staff is requesting approval of the agreement as
drafted, with Council granting City Manager authority to approve
additional revisions that do not substantively alter intent of Attachment
1. This will allow staff to work through these items and not disrupt services.
152
ALTERNATIVES
Council may elect not to approve this agreement at this time, which would
require adding an animal control officer position, the purchase of an animal
control vehicle, and contract sheltering and licensing services from RCDAS. If
approved, this agreement continues to allow Code Compliance Officers to
focus on code compliance efforts, including Short-Term Vacation Rental
regulation compliance and inspections.
Prepared by: Martha Mendez, Public Safety Manager
Approved by: Chris Escobedo, Community Resources Director
Attachment: 1. Agreement for Animal Field and Shelter Services
2. Riverside County Board of Supervisors – Rate Approval for
FY 2021-22
153
SUBMITTAL TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Page 1 of 3 ID# 14893 3.4
MEETING DATE:
Tuesday, June 08, 2021
ITEM: 3.4
(ID # 14893)
FROM : ANIMAL SERVICES:
SUBJECT: ANIMAL SERVICES: Approval of Animal Services Contract Rates for Contract
Cities for Field, Shelter and Licensing Services for Fiscal Year 2021/2022. All Districts. [$0]
RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of Supervisors:
1.Approve and Adopt the rates as listed on Attachment A for contract animal shelter, field,
and license services for contract cities for fiscal year 21/22 consistent with Board Policy
B-4.
ACTION:Policy
____________________________________________________________________________
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTACHMENT 2
SUBMITTAL TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE,
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Page 2 of 3 ID# 14893 3.4
C.E.O. RECOMMENDATION: Approve
BACKGROUND:
Summary
The Department of Animal Services (DAS) is submitting the FY 2021-22 rates for the contract
field, shelter, and license services. DAS is required, per Board Policy B-4, to maintain full cost
recovery for all costs incurred through our contract city services.
The Auditor-Controller's Office (ACO) reviewed the proposed rates and concurred that the rates
do not currently recover the cost of providing services to contracting cities. As such, the general
fund is supporting a portion of the cost associated with providing the service to the cities.
Further, the full cost recovery rate presented in Attachment A of the Form 1 1 will need to be
reviewed by the ACO next fiscal year prior to full adoption to ensure the following: 1) a
reasonable methodology has been adopted to calculate the rate for services, and 2) the cost
used to calculate the rates are an actual reflection of the cost. All rates and licensing fees in
Attachment A are in accordance with state law.
DAS provides services to the unincorporated areas of Riverside County, as well as 14 contract
cities within Riverside County and four contracted cities in San Bernardino County. City
contracts include service provisions for a combination of sheltering, licensing, and field services.
Contract city revenue comprises 70% of all revenue collected by DAS. Previously, all contract
city rates were included in Ordinance No. 630 which made it difficult to update the rates timely
since each update necessitated an ordinance amendment. DAS desires to remove the contract
rates from Ordinance No. 630 to streamline and create an efficient rate review process. The
rates charged to contract cities are not required to be adopted by ordinance under the law. Each
city enters into a negotiated contract with the County for DAS services subject to both Board of
Supervisors and City approval.
DAS will increase rates incrementally for each current contract City over the course of two fiscal
years to achieve full cost recovery. New contract City agreements shall initiate services at the
full-cost recovery rate.
Impact on Residents and Businesses
The revised rates and licensing fees are necessary to keep up with the on-going operational
costs associated with providing efficient services and essential programs to Riverside County
FINANCIAL DATA Current Fiscal Year: Next Fiscal Year: Total Cost: Ongoing Cost
COST $ 4,633,671 $ 5,213,553 $ 6,015,051 $ 6,015,051
NET COUNTY COST $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
SOURCE OF FUNDS: 100% Contract Revenue Budget Adjustment: No
For Fiscal Year: 21/22
SUBMITTAL TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE,
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Page 3 of 3 ID# 14893 3.4
residents and their animals. Further Board of Supervisors Policy B-4 requires full cost recovery
for the actual cost of providing the services to the cities so as to ensure that the County is not
subsidizing other public agencies to the detriment of the County’s own operations.
Additional Fiscal Information
The revenue forecast for FY 20/21 under the current rate structure is $4,633,671. If the
proposed rates are approved, revenue is estimated to increase to $5,213,553 for FY 21/22, with
a variance of $579,882. The revenue variance will continue to expand each fiscal year
thereafter.
Service FY 20/21 FY 21/22 FY 22/23
Animal Control Officer $2,762,240 $2,992,050 $3,394,485
Animal Control Officer
Overtime $315,968 $346,774 $389,409
License Processing $324,361 $325,981 $334,241
Kenneling Days $1,231,102 $1,548,748 $1,896,916
Total Projected Revenue $4,633,671 $5,213,553 $6,015,051
Attachment:
1.Proposed Rates Summary Worksheet
Department of Animal Services
Julie Bank
Director of Animal Services
Riverside County
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES
6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
(951) 358-7387 FAX (951) 358-7300 TDD (951) 358-5124
Website: www.rcdas.org
Last edited on April 23, 2021
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES
PROPOSED ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER RATES
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER (ACO)
POSITION
CURRENT RATE
(BOS approved
Jan 2020 – Yr. 1)
PROPOSED RATE FY
2021/2022
FULL COST RECOVERY RATE
FY 2022/2023
ACO (Hourly Rate) $83 $102.33 $121.70 + CPI
ACO (Overtime) $111 $142.12 $157.69 + CPI
PROPOSED DAILY SHELTERING RATE
SERVICE
CURRENT RATE
(BOS approved
Jan 2020 – Yr. 1)
PROPOSED RATE FY
2021/2022
FULL COST RECOVERY RATE
FY 2022/2023
Daily Sheltering Rate $20 $25.80 $31.60 + CPI
PROPOSED LICENSE PROCESSING FEES
SERVICE
CURRENT RATE
(BOS approved
Jan 2020 – Yr. 1)
PROPOSED RATE FY
2021/2022
FULL COST RECOVERY RATE
FY 2022/2023
License Processing Fee $10 $10.26 $10.52 + CPI