Agenda - 10-05-2004-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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been completed. In the FY 2004-05 Adopted Budget, the BOCC reserved funding for the positicn effective January 1, 2005. The purpose of this presentation is to update the BOCC on analysis completed and actions underway by the County management team to effect the creation of an Animal Services Department or Bureau. The team sought to address in its analysis those issues and concerns expressed by the BOCC in the course of its review of the Animal Shelter Operations Task Force interim report on governance and management. DepartmentlDivision v. Bureau There is no real practical difference between calling the new Animal Services entity a "Department" or a "Bureau" other than a matter of inflection. Either designation would still mean that its management and operations fall under the power and policies of County government and its elected officials. Either designation would still allow for the appointment of an associated Advisory Board with roles and responsibilities that support the departmental mission. It is proposed that the Director report to the County Manager/Assistant County Manager under either nomenclature. The Task Farce did not distinguish between Animal Services as a Department or Bureau; however, staff review suggests the creation of a Department given the perceived goal to cluster related programs, services, and activities under a single administration, with sale focus on animal care, having direct connection to the office of the County Manager for public accountability and operating performance. The Board of Health, in its letter to the BOCC on governance and management options, recognized the need and recommended the addition of an intermediate administrative position should animal sheltering services be operated by the County directly. The preference of the Board of Health was to incorporate this responsibility and personnel within the Health Department, an option not supported by the Task Farce. The Task Farce sought to raise visibility and accountability for animal services to the highest level of County administrative authority and create a direct link to the elected governing body. Animal Services Director Position The purpose of the Animal Services Director position is to manage and direct two related but independent functions. Those functions are animal sheltering and animal control. The Director would manage and coordinate those functions to provide for the critical strategic planning, resource management, facility development, and public involvement skills demanded in a specialty field that staff thinks will continue to face increased scnitiny and assessment at the local and state level. This past year, the State legislature dealt with public concerns about mounting euthanasia rates and revenue required to expand spay/neuter programs. Locally, staff sees the need to concentrate even greater expertise within the County on examining the full spectrum of factors that influence the welfare of owned animals in the County and the population that enters the Shelter. The Director position would be sufficiently freed from the day-to-day operational details to cultivate the alliances, develop the organizational capacity, and pursue the comprehensive planning that is currently necessary, and to become even more so as the County approaches the serious task of relocating the Shelter. Attachment 1 is a draft of the Animal Services Director's major functions.