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that this area is swimming in veterinarians and she cannot imagine that the County would not be <br />able to find these services. She thinks it is great news. <br />Chair Jacobs clarified that the additional cost to the County aver what it is already <br />paying to APS is projected as $161,910, plus the one-time costs for capital needs and <br />veterinary services. He asked if these were the basic numbers. John Link said that to operate <br />the shelter itself, it is $161,910 in addition. The $107,000 represents the acquisition of the <br />capital items needed prior to July 1St. The veterinarian contract is separate. The staff is <br />recommending coming back at a later time with a proposal on the veterinarian services. <br />Chair Jacobs said that there are some members of the public that feel that this step <br />is extravagantly expensive and he wanted to be clear that it is not a huge increase in costs for <br />the County. <br />John Link said that the staff will come back with a hard and fast budget and the <br />Board will be exercising scrutiny as it always does. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about increased cost and if this is based on the number <br />of employees that would be transitioned to County employees and the increased salaries and <br />benefits that the County offers for these positions. John Link said yes and that the primary <br />difference is the pay and benefit plan. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that when they are talking about the animal shelter <br />staffing on page 29, she found it puzzling because Animal Control is already under the Health <br />Department and so only one function is being added. She wonders why it is necessary to hire a <br />department head with such a high salary. She said that maybe the Board should reconsider <br />and put this additional function under the Health Department. She would like to have more <br />justification on why there has to be a high-level department head. <br />Commissioner Carey said that the model that was preferred by the Board of Health <br />would have included this same type position because of the span of administrative responsibility <br />when the two functions are combined under one administrative umbrella. <br />Commissioner Gordon still wants to know if there are alternatives to this high-level <br />position. John Link said that they would come back with justification for their recommendation. <br />The first priority is to work with the Animal Shelter Director and move with the transition of the <br />County taking over the operation of the shelter. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he has the utmost faith in John Link's ability to <br />move this forward. He made reference to infrastructure and asked if APS would be taking its <br />security system with them. Gwen Harvey said that the security system was under evaluation <br />and they have come back with a fair market estimate. Commissioner Halkiotis said that if the <br />security system were over two years old, then he would like it replaced. Also, if people rip out <br />anything from walls, then the wall should be repaired. The infrastructure should be left in the <br />condition it was found in the beginning. He said that he is not in favor of compensating for lost <br />adoption revenue. He would be very upset by this. He is ready to approve the Manager's <br />recommendation. <br />Commissioner Brown said that she supports the Manager's recommendation and the <br />advisory committee. She wants to know about the animals that are remaining on June 30t" and <br />she said that it appears that APS is responsible for some of the animals. Gwen Harvey said <br />that they still have to address this. They have not had an opportunity to discuss what the law <br />permits as well as what would be in the best interest of the animals. <br />Commissioner Brown said that the transition day is sa important and she wants to <br />know what APS will doing with the animals. <br />Chair Jacobs said that he appreciates the effort by Orange Enterprises and he hopes <br />that the County can work with them at some level. <br />Commissioner Carey encouraged the Board to select a model tonight. The task <br />force proposed model B. Regardless of which model is selected, they can still pursue hybrids <br />with other organizations to participate with the County. He thinks the Board needs to be clear <br />with the staff to make sure that the structure is in place as of July 1St. He encouraged the Board <br />