Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 8H
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Celia King, Administrative Service Director
PREPARED BY: Erica Rodgers, Management Analyst
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution Number 26-4409 approving Agreement 260317B with Napa County for the provision of animal shelter services, including reimbursement of the Town’s proportional share of costs, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
Napa County has provided animal shelter services to the Town of Yountville since 2009 through a countywide cost-sharing agreement among participating Napa County jurisdictions. Participating agencies currently include the County of Napa, the City of Napa, the City of American Canyon, and the Town of Yountville. Under this arrangement, each agency reimburses the County for its proportional share of the animal shelter’s net operating costs using a per capita (population-based) allocation formula. Services provided under the agreement include the intake and impounding of animals, pet redemption, animal boarding, pet adoption and placement services, quarantine, microchipping, spaying and neutering services, cat trapping programs, deceased animal disposal, and dog licensing.
The Town’s most recent agreement with Napa County for animal shelter services, originally approved in 2019, was extended through June 30, 2026. In lieu of further extending the existing agreement, the participating partners have negotiated a new Animal Shelter Services Agreement that updates cost allocation and governance provisions, including enhanced participant coordination, budget review procedures, and dispute resolution mechanisms, to reflect current operational needs and best practices in regional service delivery. While animal shelter services continue to operate within a countywide cost-sharing framework among participating jurisdictions, the proposed agreement establishes the specific terms and conditions governing the provision of services between the Town and the County.
Key elements of the proposed agreement include:
• A five-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2031. • A population-based cost allocation methodology using California Department of Finance population estimates.
• Inclusion of a 3% operational contingency and a required capital reserve contribution equal to 3% of the Town’s operating share.
• A phased approach to allocating County Engineering and Administrative costs to the partners, with capped allocations in initial years and full cost recovery implemented by year three.
• Enhanced collaboration and transparency through quarterly and annual participant meetings, shared budget review, and access to shelter performance metrics.
Under the agreement, the County will continue to provide all animal shelter facility operations, staffing, equipment, and regulatory compliance. Animal control field services within Town limits will continue to be provided separately under the Town’s agreement for law enforcement services with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.
Town staff has evaluated alternative service delivery options, including constructing and operating a Townowned animal shelter, contracting with private veterinary clinics, or partnering with other agencies. Given the Town’s size, the lack of a local veterinary clinic, and the specialized nature of animal shelter operations, these alternatives were determined to be less efficient and significantly more costly. Accordingly, staff recommend approval of the new agreement with Napa County.
The Town’s estimated share of costs for fiscal year 2026/2027 is $56,752, which has been incorporated into the proposed fiscal year 2026/207 budget. This amount reflects the Town’s population-based cost share and includes operating costs, a 3% operational contingency, and the Town’s contribution to the capital reserve.
Future years’ costs will be subject to annual budget approval and may vary based on population changes, program needs, and shared administrative cost allocations.
Staff recommend that the Town Council approve Agreement 260317B with Napa County for the provision of animal shelter services, establishing updated cost-sharing, governance, and budget review provisions consistent with current operational needs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3).
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? Yes
Is it Currently Budgeted? Yes
Where is it Budgeted? General Fund Non-Departmental Contract Services (01-1010-4210) Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? No
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No 26-4409
2. Agreement No 260317B