I. RECOMMENDATION:
This was requested as a Future Agenda Item by Councilwoman Stolz to discuss.
City Manager and Financial Services Director would recommend not filling an Animal Control Officer position at this time.
II. BACKGROUND:
In Fiscal Years 2014 through 2016, the City employed one (1) full-time Animal Control Officer and one (1) part-time Animal Control Officer. In Fiscal Year 2017, the City employed two (2) full-time Animal Control Officers and one (1) part-time Animal Control Officer. In Fiscal Year 2018, the City employed one (1) full-time Animal Control Officer and one (1) part-time Animal Control Officer. In 2019, the City employed one (1) full-time Animal Control Officer through June 10, 2019.
The Animal Control Officer responded to calls relating to sick and injured dogs, or dogs that presented a safety risk, and managed the shelter.
Cats are considered free roaming.
The City then contracted with Gimme Love for shelter and animal control services.
The Adopted Animal Control budget for Fiscal Year 2019 was $125,397. The Adopted Animal Control budget for Fiscal Year 2020 was $35,100, a savings of $90,297 to the City's General Fund.
Sworn Officers with the Coalinga Police Department continue to respond to calls for service relating to vicious animals.
III. DISCUSSION:
The cost of one full-time Animal Control Officer, at top step, is approximately $78,000 per year, unbudgeted to the City's General Fund.
The cost of one part-time Animal Control Officer, at top step, at 19 hours per week, is approximately $30,000 per year, unbudgeted to the City's General Fund.
The Adopted Animal Control budget for Fiscal Year 2019 was $125,397, which was prior to allocating a new salary range. Today, that number would be approximately $146,000 and that would cover the cost of one (1) full-time Animal Control Officer, including salary, benefits and operational costs.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City can continue contracting with Gimme Love for shelter and animal control services (recommended);
2 The City can terminate the contract and resume providing shelter and animal control services;
3. The City can do hybrid model with Gimme Love providing shelter services and the City providing Animal Control Services, however, the restrictions with the shelter would remain and the Animal Control Officer would have nowhere to take the animals.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
Varies depending on Council's direction. |