I. RECOMMENDATION:
This item was requested as a Future Agenda Item by Councilman Adkisson.
At this time, there is no staff recommendation.
II. BACKGROUND:
In June 2019, the Coalinga Police Department cut the Animal Control Officer position and contracted the care for the animals and maintenance of the building to Gimmie Love. The day to day calls for service regarding animals are now shared between the Police Department and Gimmie Love, when they can respond.
III. DISCUSSION:
Due to the issues of employees from Gimmie Love not always being available to assist with animal complaint calls and officers handling priority calls for service, Council has requested other options be explored. The three options would be:
1 - Open and hire a full time Animal Control Officer
2 - Open and hire a part time Animal Control Officer
3 - Do not open any positions and stay status quo
If the City decides to open and fill either a full time or part time Animal Control position, one of the next steps would be to coordinate with Gimmie Love and make sure they are able to house the additional animals that are brought in, either surrendered, captured or quarantined. If Gimmie Love is unable to accommodate that, housing for animals will need to be discussed.
Option #1 - Open and hire a full time Animal Control Officer - Cost for this position is approximately $84,000 annually. This is based off the current listing on the Basic Pay Scale for top step Animal Control Officer III, which will take several years to reach.
Option #2 - Open and hire a part time Animal Control Officer - Cost for this position is approximately $26,000 annually. This is also based off the above pay scale, but limited to 960 hours per fiscal year per City Policy for part time employees.
Option #3 - Do not open any positions and stay status quo
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
None
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
The impact to the general fund would vary pending which option the council decides on. For a full time ACO the impact to the general fund is $84,000 annually. This is based off the current listing on the Basic Pay Scale for top step Animal Control Officer III, which will take several years to reach.
The impact to the general fun for a part time ACO is $26,000.00 which this employee could only work a total of 960 hours per fiscal year per City Policy for part time employees.
Based off prior budgetary years, the estimated Operation and Maintenance costs for the Animal Control position has been between about $52,650 and $69,750. This will be a significantly lower cost if Gimmie Love is able to handle the intake and care of the animals. |