ORD-2007-221 - Animal Ordinance Civil Penalty and Fee Increases

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 15, 2007 SUBJECT: Animal Ordinance Civil Penalty and Fee Increases QXi,,O- JIJ'�7 % Action Agenda Item No. S -Q DEPARTMENT: Animal Services & Budget PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) Yes ATTACHMENT(S): Animal Control Ordinance Amendments Animal Control Collection Policy Amendment Proposed Public Relations Plan INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Marotto, Director, 968 -2287 Donna Coffey, Budget Director, 245 -2151 PURPOSE: To request that the Board of County Commissioners conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed amendments to the County's Animal Ordinance, and on that basis, approve: • the amendment of the County's Animal Ordinance to update select civil penalties; • the amendment of the County's Animal Ordinance to change the designation of civil penalty to "fee" in several instances; • the amendment to the Animal Control Collection Policy as it pertains to the collection of civil penalties and fees; and • a public relations plan that informs the public of changes in the amounts of civil penalties and fees. The proposed effective date of the amendments is February 4, 2008, allowing an eight -week period of education and public outreach prior to the effective date of the change. BACKGROUND: This is a proposal to increase select civil penalties and redefine several as fees for the County's Animal Ordinances. The increases were recommended by the County Manager during the last budget cycle on a basis of recommendation by staff and the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB). At that time, the BOCC asked that the recommended fine increases be brought back with an accompanying public relations plan. The proposed increases apply to ordinance violations including failure to vaccinate or license pets, public nuisance and animal mistreatment. Recommended increases are based upon a recent study conducted by Budget and Animal Services staff that