Orange County NC Website
Page 2 of 5 <br />ASAB Approved Summary March 17, 2010 <br /> <br />reduce net operating cost, which is a function of how much we spend and how much revenue we <br />bring in to Animal Services. We are proposing a reduction in select line items in a way that does <br />not eliminate programs that are critical to the Department. We have proposed a number of fee <br />increases and adjustments, including $50 for an animal surrendered for euthanasia, a fee for use <br />of the large stock trailer to bring an animal to the shelter for impoundment, and a pet licensing <br />increase from $5.00 for a sterilized animal to $10. We are looking at preserving the qualities of <br />Animal Services while trying to problem solve for the county. One part of the proposal is to <br />reclassify one of the vacant positions; we are proposing reorganization that takes the <br />Administrative I position to a Healthcare Technician position. This would include using <br />temporary employee funds to create this position. Mr. Marotto added that the temporary fund <br />line item has been a major concern for the Board, they have been reluctant to provide non- <br />permanent funds because oftentimes those positions tend to become permanent but without the <br />benefits. We have requested that, if the Healthcare Technician position is not approved, we get <br />the temporary funds back so that we can continue to utilize the 24 hours for the in house spay <br />neuter program. The first discussion and review of the proposed budget went well and seem to <br />be very positive. This year the Manager has elected to budget permanent salaries at 100 percent <br />for Fiscal Year 10/11, where in years past they were budgeted at 96 percent. <br /> <br />Community Spay Neuter Fund—Jean Austin reported that Animal Services received good <br />support from the BOCC during the recent meeting that she and Mr. Marotto attended. Her sense <br />is that the spay neuter plan will move forward and she reiterated that it is a cost saving program. <br />She feels that the Department has done a great job of communicating this to the Commissioners. <br />Mr. Marotto reported that the amount of money available for the $20 Fix Program would be <br />increased for fiscal year 10/11. The new agreement would be a 20-10-10 configuration: $20,000 <br />to be expended by Animal Kind for the established programs with up to another $10,000 <br />available from Orange County spay/neuter fund for a dollar-to-dollar matching basis with funds <br />that Animal Kind raises from citizens in the County. The County's share could be $20,000 - <br />30,000, and the total amount for the program could be $30,000 -40,000. Mr. Marotto noted that <br />on the revenue side, we have been reimbursed more than $3,000 through the state program. <br /> <br />Review of Outside Agency Applications— <br />Ms. Austin reported that she, Bob Marotto and Irene Phipps reviewed and considered <br />applications from organizations requesting grants from the County and selected for <br />consideration by the BOCC. Ms. Austin stated that although all three organizations represented <br />worthy causes, it was determined that none of the three organizations had a “proven” track <br />record and only one of the three had direct application to Animal Services' activities and <br />responsibilities. The reviewers were concerned that there had been no meaningful interaction or <br />dialogue between the Animal Services Department and the organizations, although the <br />applications indicated that there had been. Ms. Austin and the others felt that in order to <br />recommend grants, the programs for which the applicants sought funding should have relevance <br />to the services that Animal Services must provide to Orange County citizens, and that those <br />programs have the potential to serve as a resource for referral by the Department to interested <br />citizens or citizens in need of assistance.