Agenda - 10-21-2003-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Will support any reasonable method of OCAS Oversight proposed by Orange ~7 County, whether short-term or long-term in nature. • Believes that, in the interest of all concerned, the Orange County BOC should make a decision regarding the future role of the APS in managing and operating ,--= the OCAS by no later than January 31, 2004. If the Orange County BOC decides to transfer responsibility for the management and operation of the OCAS: The APS will continue to provide most, if not all, of its current non-OCAS-related programs and services and will seek to define other ways to proactively promote animal welfare and protection in the community. To the maximum extent practicable, the APS will do so in strategic partnership with the County and with other community stakeholders. The APS will work with Orange County to effect an orderly transition, within the limits of our time and resources. Regardless of the BOC's decision relating to long-term responsibility for the management and operation of the OCAS, the APS Board has decided that it is no longer in a financial position to continue subsidizing the management and operation of the OCAS. • For many years, APS has financially subsidized the operation of the OCAS at levels of approximately $70,000 to $90,000 per year. This has significantly affected our cash reserves. • Our revised 2003-2004 budget for the OCAS projects the need for approximately '' $138,000 ofAPS subsidies, not including costs associated with implementing the vast majority of the HSUS recommendations. Acopy of this revised budget is included in the attached letter to Mr. John Link. • The continuing controversy over APS management and operation of the OCAS and associated distractions have significantly affected our ability to obtain funding from other sources. It is also important to recognize that the long-term under-funding of the OCAS by Orange County has contributed to the quality of OCAS operations and has affected our ability to expand APS programs and services to include additional proactive initiatives. Therefore, APS is no longer able or willing to subsidize the management and operation of the OCAS. Our ability and willingness to manage and operate the t)CAS beyond September 30, 2003 is contingent upon obtaining full funding for the OCAS from Orange County. We understand that the timing of the communication of our decision is not good and that it will no doubt result in a barrage of criticism from those who will choose to misinterpret the underlying reasons. The fact of the matter is that our financial condition dictates no other choice.