Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: June 25, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Animal Services Agreement with the County of Ventura
BACKGROUND
The City of Camarillo contracts with Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) to provide animal services including animal care, field services, rabies control, nuisance hearings, and license processing. In July 2020, the City entered into a five-year agreement (No. 2020-51) with the County for these services, effective through June 30, 2025. In November 2021, Ventura County adopted Ordinance No. 4587 to update and clarify animal-related regulations. Following this approval, in 2022 the City amended the Camarillo Municipal Code Title 7 – Animals to ensure consistency with the County ordinance.
The original multi-year agreement, executed in 2020 and amended in 2022 to reflect updates to both local and County animal ordinances, provides the foundation for animal care and control services. These include field services, rabies control, animal licensing, administrative hearings, and nuisance complaint investigations. The contract structure allows cities to tailor their service levels each year through the Service Level Request process.
VCAS has proposed an additional year under the existing terms of the agreement while a comprehensive review of services is completed, and a new agreement is executed.
DISCUSSION
The City of Camarillo received the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Service Level Request Form from Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS), which outlines the available animal services and associated billing rates for the upcoming fiscal year. As part of the annual process, the City is required to complete and return two signed copies of the form, indicating the desired services for the next fiscal year.
There are no changes to service levels for Fiscal Year 2025/26, and animal license rates charged to residents remain unchanged. However, costs have increased due to a $15 per hour rise in Field Services rates, from $130 to $145. The pooled Animal Care cost for
Amendment to Animal Services Agreement with VCAS
June 25, 2025
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Fiscal Year 2025/26 is $7,803,561.85, which is divided among the cities and unincorporated County based on a weighted three-year average of animal intakes. The net projected cost for the City of Camarillo is $690,814.05.In addition to the annual service request, VCAS is proposing a one-year extension to the existing multi-year agreement for animal services, which is currently set to expire on June 30, 2025. The proposed amendment will extend the agreement through June 30, 2026, maintaining the existing service framework while updating the contract term. To proceed, the City is required to return two signed copies of the amendment to agreement (Attachment 1, pages 1 and 8 of the SLR). This extension supports continued collaboration with VCAS and ensures uninterrupted animal-related services for Camarillo residents.
Staff recommends approval of the service level request and execution of the contract amendment to continue animal services in the City of Camarillo.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the Amendment to Agreement No. CC 2021-51E are included in the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget Account No. 101-1401-414.35-92.
Offsetting revenue from citation fines will be credited to the following General Fund Revenue Animal Services Account No. 101-0000-351.61-51.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that contract animal services are not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that these services may have a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 2020-51E with Ventura County Animal Services; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments to the current agreement if required.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Amendment to Agreement No. 2020-51E with Ventura County Animal Services
2. CC Agreement No. 2020-51 with Ventura County Animal Services REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None