Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
March 23, 2004 Fifth Meeting <br />• Continued Discussion of the Three Models, <br />Citizen Input from the Public Listening Session, <br />and Staff Responses <br />• Developed Recommendations to Present to the <br />BOCC <br />Task Force Recommendatons_and Rationale <br />Task Force members on March 23 had the opportunity to review the transcript of the Public <br />Listening Session, consider the County staff response to questions raised by the Task Farce <br />following the session, and conduct a more detailed discussion about the relative merits of the <br />three models posed at the Public Listening Session: <br />Model A: Continued Contracting with APS <br />Model B: Creation of an Animal Services Bureau in County Government <br />Model C: Creation of a County Department/Division <br />Task Force discussion focused on three major questions -the tax aspect (the ability to write off <br />donations), the ability to continue and develop spay/neuter education and training programs to <br />decrease the number of animal returns or euthanasia, and the ability of an advisory board to <br />communicate the interests of citizens as well as provide possible outreach for private funding <br />opportunities. In the end, the Task Force cast weighted votes on the three models and the <br />results were as follows: <br />Model A: 10 Points <br />Model B: 36 Points <br />Model C: 26 Points <br />The Task Force then decided to refer both Model B and Model C to the BOCC at its work <br />session on April 1 for further discussion and future decision. <br />The reasons for supporting Model B -the Animal Services Bureau - as the hiahest <br />recommendation are summarized below: <br />• Establishes an advisory board appointed by the BOCC <br />• Increases ability to respond to citizen needs and concerns <br />• Combines Animal Sheltering and Animal Control under one management <br />• Retains ability to attract and promote volunteerism <br />• Provides the advantage of the County administrative infrastructure (Personnel, Central <br />Services/Purchasing, Finance, Budget, and Information Technology) <br />• Ensures and reinforces strong County Management and BOCC oversight and control <br />• Presents a "softer edge" to a government undertaking <br />• Potential to be more entrepreneurial <br />• Government is also tax exempt <br />