Agenda

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INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	09/14/2015
Subject: Animal Welfare Benefit Fund
Submitted For:	David Twa
Department:	County Administrator
Referral No.:	IOC 15/14
Referral Name:	Animal Benefit Fund Review
Presenter:	Timothy Ewell	Contact:	Timothy Ewell (925) 335-1036

Information

Referral History:

On April 21, 2015, the Board of Supervisors received several comments regarding the Animal Benefit Fund from members of the public during fiscal year 2015/16 budget hearings. As part of budget deliberations, the Board directed staff to include a review of the Animal Benefit Fund to a Board Standing Committee for further review.

On May 12, 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2015/16 budget. Included in the Board’s action was the formal referral of this issue to the Internal Operations Committee.

Referral Update:

Staff has included information to assist the Committee discussion, including a copy of a board order from 1988 seeking to make the Animal Benefit Fund (Fund No. 133200) interest bearing, a ten-year revenue and expenditure history, current fund balance and detailed expenditures from fiscal year 2014/15.

The Resolution establishing the Fund could not be located; however, staff has included a Board Order that clarifies in its background:

“…to avoid disputes as to the disbursement of money in the fund, the Animal Services Director is authorized to make disbursements which, in his or her judgment, are in the best interest of the animals in the custody of the County.”

This has been a continued practice of the department and applies to both one-time capital expenditures and reimbursement for various services and supplies that benefit animals being housed by the County. It is important to note that this practice does not supersede County procurement requirements, which among other things, require purchase orders or contracts exceeding $100,000 to be approved by the Board of Supervisors. In addition, expenditures between $25,000 and $100,000 must be approved by the County Administrator’s Office following recommendation by a department head.

In the most recent fiscal year, the Animal Services Department recommended and the Board approved one-time expenditures totaling $309,925: $170,000 for a Mobile Adoption Van and $139,925 for stainless steel rolling cat cages. Both Board Orders are included in this agenda packet for reference.

The current fund balance in the Animal Benefit Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 is $645,555; however, it is important to note that the Fund has not yet been charged for the Mobile Van or the full costs of the acquisition of stainless steel cat cages.

Senior Deputy County Administrator Timothy Ewell will be present to provide a verbal report introducing the issue to the Committee. Interim Animal Services Director Glenn Howell has been invited to the Committee meeting to assist in answering any questions that the Committee may have.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

ACCEPT report on the Animal Benefit Fund; and,
PROVIDE direction to staff regarding next steps.

Attachments
Board Order_Animal Benefit Fund Interest Accrual_7-12-88
Animal Benefit Fund 10 Year Expenditure History
Animal Benefit Fund Balance as of 8-30-15
Board Order_Mobile Van Purchase_2-3-15
Board Order_Cat Cages Purchase_2-3-15