Agenda - 10-01-2013 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 ordinance. The ASAB also asked staff to consider presenting the menu approach mentioned above so that the BOCC would be in a position to take favorable action even if there was contention over one or a few issues. This was the third time that the ASAB considered the unified ordinance (or some part thereof) as well as comments about the ordinance from residents of Orange County. The unified ordinance also includes changes in the requirements for stray animals being recovered by an owner or custodian. These are the same changes that Animal Services staff and the ASAB recommended to the BOCC at its February 12, 2013 work session. Specifically, the changes are to create: 1. A requirement for microchipping stray cats and dogs upon their first recovery, 2. A tiered and differential fee schedule for the recovery of cats and dogs depending upon the number of times they have been recovered and whether they are reproductive or sterilized, 3. A refundable spay /neuter deposit for cats and dogs recovered three or more times. These changes are expected to help reduce the euthanasia of potentially adoptable animals and to contain and control the medium and long term cost of providing animal services in Orange County. Staff has also included an update on recent appeal actions as Attachment 3. Prior to this October 1 BOCC meeting, Orange County Public Affairs published a media advisory regarding the BOCC consideration of the Unified Animal Control Ordinance (Attachment 4). The September 24, 2013 media advisory makes residents aware of this agenda item and directs interested residents to materials posted on the Animal Services website. North Carolina General Statute §153A -45 provides that in order for an ordinance to be adopted on its first reading it "must receive the approval of all the members of the board of commissioners. If the ordinance is approved by a majority of those voting but not by all the members of the board .... it shall be considered at the next regular meeting of the board." The Board then has 100 days after introduction of the ordinance to adopt the change to the ordinance. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The unified animal ordinance entails no additional costs. Staff believes that service will become more effective and efficient as a result of the creation of a single regulatory framework for animal care and control in the County. There will be limited financial impacts from the proposed changes for the recovery of reproductive animals and the microchip requirement for recovered stray animals. The net effect of these new fees is expected to produce approximately $10,000 more in revenue per annum. More specifically, there would be an annual increase of approximately $6,000 in animal recovery fees (with no offsetting expenditures); and an annual increase of approximately $7,000 in fees from microchips (minus approximately $2,800 for their purchase). The fee changes are expected to help create more substantial incentives (and disincentives) for residents as they consider whether to sterilize their dogs and cats as a part of being a responsible pet owner. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Interim Manager recommends that the Board adopt the Unified Animal Control Ordinance (Attachment 6).