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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 19, 2002 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~ - c~ <br />SUBJECT: Contract for External Evaluation of Orange County Animal Shelter <br />DEPARTMENT: Health <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />County Manager <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Cost Estimate of ASC Consultation <br />Professional Animal Services <br />Consultation Program Proposal <br />BOCC 10/28/02 Work Session Agenda <br />Abstract <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Rosemary Summers, ext. 2411 <br />Gwen Harvey, ext. 2300 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider authorizing a contract with the Humane Society of the United States <br />(HSUS) for an evaluation of the operation of the Orange County Animal Shelter. <br />BACKGROUND: In the past two months, the BOCC has heard both positive and critical <br />comments about the operation of the Orange County Animal Shelter by the Animal Protection <br />Society of Orange County (APSOC). In order to gain a more complete and objective view of <br />shelter operations, the Board directed staff to secure an estimate for a contract with the HSUS <br />to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of shelter operations. <br />The attached proposal and cost estimate has been submitted by HSUS for the Board's <br />consideration. Page 6 of the detailed proposal (page 9 of this agenda abstract) outlines all <br />areas that the HSUS will examine in its evaluation. The evaluation will not include the Wildlife <br />Sanctuary nor will it include the contract for animal control services with the Town of Chapel Hill. <br />The attached proposal addresses the key issues and critical elements identified by the BOCC <br />from earlier meetings and those emphasized by community comments during the work session <br />held on October 28. A copy of the agenda abstract from that meeting is attached for <br />background. This abstract also referenced the use of an expert facilitator to conduct focus <br />groups in advance of on-site work by HSUS. <br />The total cost of the HSUS proposal is $18,500. In addition, discussions have started with the <br />Dispute Settlement Center regarding facilitation of public focus groups prior to the HSUS site <br />visit. Suggested groups at this point may include one group selected from residents who have <br />adopted from the shelter and those who have been rejected for adoption; one group selected <br />from the entire pool of volunteers at the shelter; and two "general" groups of residents. These <br />focus groups are intended to secure in-depth public comments regarding the operation of the <br />animal shelter that can be utilized in the overall evaluation. The input received from the focus <br />groups will be forwarded by the Dispute Settlement Center to the HSUS evaluation team to be <br />