200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #162
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5139
Fax: (714) 765-5280
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 27, 2023
FROM: PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF INTENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
AND THE COUNTY OF ORANGE FOR ANIMAL CARE
SERVICES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 19
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the attached Notice of Intent with the County of Orange for animal care and shelter services for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, at an estimated cost of $4,845,736 and authorize the Mayor or her designee to execute said Notice on behalf of the City.
BACKGROUND:
Since 1989, the City of Anaheim has contracted with the County of Orange to provide animal care services including field, shelter, and licensing services. On January 27, 2009, the City Council approved the County’s “evergreen” contract, which allowed the agreement to roll over year-to-year with uninterrupted service.
Pursuant to the terms of the contract, the County provides all animal licensing, field, and shelter services on behalf of the City. Shelter services include animal impoundment and animal care before retrieval by the owner or adoption. In addition, the shelter is responsible for the care of any unwanted, sick, or severely injured animals. Field services consist of animal capture or rescue, investigation of complaints, animal bites, vicious animal investigation, and enforcement of animal control regulations.
The “evergreen” contract remained in effect until April 2016 at which time the City Council approved a Participation Agreement and Agreement for Provision of Animal Care Services (Services Agreement) between the County and City.
Notice of Intent Between the City of Anaheim and the County of Orange for Animal Care Services June 27, 2023
The Participation Agreement has a ten-year term and defines the roles and responsibilities between the County and City for the funding and construction of the new regional animal shelter in the City of Tustin. The City of Anaheim, the County, and 14 contract cities are paying their proportional share of the $35 million cost of construction. The County “pre-funded” the construction and allowed contract cities to pay their proportional share in a lump sum or over a ten-year period in equal installments paid on a quarterly basis. Anaheim’s share of the shelter cost is approximately $7.7 million and is being paid in equal installments over a ten-year period.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Orange is obligated to provide an annual notice of estimated costs in the form of a Notice of Intent (NOI). The County requires the City to sign the NOI acknowledging its intent to pay for the services rendered. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24, the County is estimating a cost of $4,845,736. The total FY 2023/24 estimated net cost for the City of Anaheim reflects a 22.85% increase to the total FY 2022/23 budgeted net cost. The $4,845,736 is comprised of costs that are approximately evenly divided between shelter services and field/licensing services. While only an estimate at this time, the city is required to pay the County, on a quarterly basis, for its net costs, which is based on actual costs reduced by actual fee revenues.
The estimate is allocated based on percentages of Animal Control and Animal Shelter services provided and revenues collected on behalf of Anaheim during the last 12 months (March 1, 2022, through February 28, 2023). This represents a change in how the Net Cost estimate was previously calculated, which was based on a three fiscal-year average (July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2021). The change in methodology is intended to provide a more accurate estimate of the City’s Net Cost for the upcoming year. This increase is directly related to the County filling critical positions to meet the demand for services, an increase in veterinary costs and offset the rising costs of essential supplies.
The proposed Notice of Intent ensures the County will continue to enforce Title 8 of the Anaheim Municipal Code and the County of Orange Animal Control Ordinances. Residents in the City of Anaheim will continue to contact the County regarding animal complaints and stray animals. Impounded animals will be retrieved at the Orange County Animal Care Facility in Tustin. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Notice of Intent to provide animal care services to the City of Anaheim.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The proposed Planning and Building Department General Fund Budget for FY 2023/2024 includes $4,845,736 for animal care and field services.
Respectfully submitted,
Ted White
Planning and Building Director
Attachment:
1. Notice of Intent between the County of Orange and City of Anaheim