Item Number: 10
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: September 2, 2025
Submitted By:
Jorge Duran, Code Enforcement Official
Subject:
Veterinary Services Expense Ratification and Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Dr. Joseph Velasco DBA Providential Services, Inc, Project CC25-024 Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Ratify expenditures for veterinary services provided by Dr. Joseph Velasco DBA Providential Services, Inc. for services rendered during Fiscal Year 2024/2025 in the amount of $257,184.86; and
(2) Approve a Professional Services Provider Agreement with Dr. Joseph Velasco DBA Providential Services, Inc., in the amount of $265,000.00 to provide veterinary services for the City’s Animal Services Division for Fiscal Year 2025/2026.
Fiscal Impact:
Ratification of these expenditures, in the amount of $257,184.86, will ratify payments for services previously provided that ensured continued access to essential veterinary care and medical treatment for animals under the care of the City. This action supports the City’s commitment to the health and welfare of sheltered animals and reflects necessary operational expenses within the approved budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/2025.
The table below outlines the funding accounts and corresponding expenditures for veterinary services provided by Dr. Velasco during FY 24/25.
Account Number Account Description Expense Amount
1055203-52300-45013 Animal Shelter Veterinary $207,556.10 1055020-52300 Animal Services Contract Services $23,494.99 1055203-52300 Animal Shelter Contract Services $8,555.01 2705020-52300-45010 Pet Assistance Grant Round 1
Contract Services
$5,490.93
2705020-52300-45019 Prevention of Animal Cruelty Grant $4,140.00 1005020-52300-45003 Animal Services Contract Services $3,237.80 4 3
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2705020-52300-45011 Pet Assistance Grant Round 3
Contract Services
$2,442.76
1055203-52110 Animal Shelter Supplies $2,267.27
Total 257,184.86
Additionally, awarding the Professional Services Agreement to Dr. Velasco for continued veterinary services in FY 2025/2026 will result in a fiscal impact of $265,000.00. These services are included in the approved budget, with sufficient funds available to cover the planned veterinary expenses. The agreement will be funded through the Measure P Animal Shelter budget and no additional appropriations are needed.
The table below details the fund account number, account description and available budget for FY 2025/2026 veterinarian services. Future grant funds, as received, will offset the total impact to Measure P.
Account Number Account Description Amount Available
1055203-52300-45013 Contract Services Veterinary Expense $546,159.22 Strategic Plan Goal:
This item aligns with Strategic Plan Goal B, Public Safety – Implement public safety strategies to support the operation of a city animal shelter. Shelter and field response operations rely heavily on veterinary services to ensure high-quality care for sheltered animals, provide emergency treatment for injured or stray animals, and perform spay and neuter procedures. These efforts support pet adoptions and help give animals a better chance of finding a new home.
Background:
On April 1, 2023, Victor Valley Animal Protection League (VVAPL) notified the City of their intent to end shelter services by April 30, 2023. This prompted the City to quickly establish a temporary shelter and develop a permanent solution. In December 2023, the City leased the vacant Mavericks School site, and after extensive rehabilitation, opened the new Animal Care and Adoption Center on December 12, 2024. The facility now serves as the central hub for Animal Services featuring over 130 kennels and expanded adoption services.
Throughout this transition, veterinary service availability remained limited, creating an urgent need for consistent veterinary care to manage shelter operations effectively. Staff relied heavily on Dr. Joseph Velasco, whose ongoing support, including up to 18 spay/neuter procedures weekly, was critical in controlling the shelter population, preventing overcrowding, and facilitating adoption events. Given the high and continuous demand and limited alternative providers, it was necessary to secure Dr. Velasco’s services without delay.
As a result, cumulative expenditures for Dr. Velasco’s services during FY 2024/2025 reached $257,184.86, exceeding the City Manager’s purchasing authority and justifying emergency approval to maintain essential animal care services. In accordance with Victorville Municipal Code Section 2.28.060(f), the City Manager is authorized to approve 4 3
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emergency expenditures using available unencumbered funds, provided such actions are ratified by the City Council as soon as practicable. Although no single transaction with this vendor has exceeded the City Manager’s $125,000 purchase authority, the cumulative amount exceeds this authority. Therefore, this item is being brought forth for City Council ratification.
Discussion:
In support of the City’s newly opened Adoption Center, staff recognized a crucial need to secure a veterinarian that could accommodate high-volume medical requests associated with shelter operations.
In February 2024, the City issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for veterinary services under Project CC25-024 to 11 prospective contractors. Two responses were received, including one from Dr. Joseph Velasco, who operates Providential Services at the PetSmart retail store located at 12624 Amargosa Road. Dr. Velasco was selected as the most qualified respondent due to his ability to provide timely veterinary care near our facility, support euthanasia under his premise license for severely injured or ill animals, accommodate on-site visits as needed, and his proven positive service history with the City. The competing proposal did not meet our operational requirements, as it was unable to accommodate on-site visits, declined to permit use of the provider’s premise license, and was located too far from the Adoption Center, making them unsuitable for our operational model.
As staff worked toward executing a formal contract and fulfilling insurance requirements, operations at the Adoption Center continued to grow and evolve. Following the onboarding of a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), it was determined that several services originally intended for the contract veterinarian could instead be performed by the RVT, resulting in greater operational efficiency and cost savings. With insurance requirements now satisfied and the scope of veterinary services clearly defined, a Professional Services Provider Agreement with Dr. Joseph Velasco DBA Providential Services, Inc. has been prepared in the amount of $265,000.00 for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Attachment A).
Staff respectfully recommends that the Honorable City Council ratify the emergency veterinary service expenditures exceeding $125,000.00 for FY 2024/2025 and approve a professional services agreement with Dr. Joseph Velasco DBA Providential Services, Inc to provide veterinary services for the City’s Animal Services Division in the amount not to exceed $265,000.00 for FY 2025/2026, with the ability for the City Council to extend for four (4) additional one-year periods.
Staff is available for any questions the Council may have.
Prepared By:
Jorge Duran, Code Enforcement Official
Attachment: A. Agreement