Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, August 06, 2024
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL (LADACC) CONTRACT (C19-104) BUDGET FOR FY 2023-24 IN PUBLIC SAFETY (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item seeks to inform the City Council about the current budget requirements for the animal control contract.
On November 7, 2023, Staff presented SR 2023-0759 to the City Council and received approval for the FY 2023-24 Full-Service Level Agreement spanning five months. City Council allocated an additional $286,173.75 from the Public Safety Animal Control budget, contingent upon hiring a new ACO by February 2024.
By April 2024, despite efforts, Staff was unsuccessful in recruiting a suitable candidate meeting City hiring standards. Consequently, on May 22, 2024, Staff presented SR 2024-0349, and City Council approved Resolution No. 24-044 (Exhibit No.1) for a FY 2023/24 budget transfer of $150,000 from other Public Safety accounts to the animal control account, increasing the animal control contract budget to $436,173.75, aimed at covering a projected estimated costs for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Staff now seeks City Council approval to increase the LADACC’s contract budget. These adjustments are essential due to unforeseen circumstances impacting the animal control contract, including recruitment delays and operational needs. If approved, the city will be able to fulfill its financial obligations for animal control services through the end of FY 2023/24.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
APPROVE an increase to the Animal Care and Control Contract budget for FY 2023/24 in the amount of $61,187.57.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action the City Council deems appropriate that is consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
In 2018, the County alerted the City of Carson about the need for adjustments to the LADACC's cost structure and billing methodology to ensure proper cost recovery. Originally proposed to start in FY 2020-21, the new billing methodology was delayed to FY 2021/22 due to the impact of the COVID outbreak on the County and cities, prompting the City Council to approve the hiring of an in-house Animal Control Officer (ACO).
In 2021, Staff successfully recruited a full-time AOC, leading to a reduction in the LADACC’s service level to partial service. On March 15, 2022, Staff presented SR 2022-142, which was approved by the Council, projecting a contract budget cost of $341,169 for FY 2023/24. Unfortunately, the City received notice of the resignation of the in-house ACO on April 3, 2023, necessitating the resumption of full-service animal control services from LADACC until a replacement was hired.
As a result of the shift to full-service animal control support in April 2023, there was a rise in service costs for the months of May and June 2023. Therefore, Staff presented SR 2023-0425 on June 20, 2023, for Council approval. Subsequently, Resolution No. 23-106 (Exhibit No. 2) was approved, authorizing a budget transfer of $145,000 to the animal control account for FY 2022/23 to cover the cost of service for the last two months of the fiscal year. This action increased the contract budget to $486,169.
Following the approval of the FY 2023/24 budget on June 20, 2023, allocating $257,496.00 towards the animal control contract budget account, Staff received communication from LADACC regarding FY 2023/24 Service Levels and Billing Rates, indicating an incremental increase in the flat impound rate (Exhibit No.3). This led to an update in the projected cost from $397,062 to $686,817 as listed in the FY 2023/24 Estimate Service Level Schedule. (Exhibit No. 4)
Therefore, on November 7, 2023, Staff presented SR 2023-0759, and Council approved the FY 2023/24 Estimate Service Level Schedule forecasting an estimate cost of $686,817 (Exhibit No. 3), FY 2023/24 Full-Service Level Agreement for a five (5) month period and Resolution No. 23-164 (Exhibit No. 5) allocating an additional $286,173.75, contingent upon the hiring of a new ACO by February 2023. This increased the Public Safety Animal Control contract budget to $543,669.75. Staff did advise Council that additional funding could be requested if a new AOC wasn’t hired by February 2023 to cover the estimated cost outlined in the FY 2023/24 Estimate Service Level Schedule of $686,817.17.
By April 2024, despite efforts, Staff was unsuccessful in recruiting a suitable candidate meeting City hiring standards. Consequently, on May 22, 2024, Staff returned to City Council and presented SR 2024-0349, and City Council approved Resolution No. 24-044 (Exhibit No.1) for a FY 2023/24 budget transfer of $150,000 from other Public Safety accounts to the animal control account, aimed at covering a remaining projected estimated costs for the remainder of the fiscal year, increasing the total contract budget to $693,669.75.
Staff now requests City Council approval for an additional increase to the Animal Care and Control contract budget in the amount of $61,187.57 that will be paid from other Public Safety accounts, specifically to cover expenses for the final two months of the fiscal year, increasing the total contract budget for FY 2023/24 to $754,857.32, as stipulated in FY 2024/25 Estimate Service Level Schedule under FY2023/24 Actual Cost (Exhibit No. 6). Within the FY 2024/25 Estimate Service Level Schedule, LADACC provided an estimate cost projection for the next two-years.
It should be noted that the projected costs associated with the animal care and control contract have been influenced by various factors, including changes in County billing methods, staffing changes, and the transition to full-service animal control. It is difficult for Staff to present an accurate projection cost for the animal control services. City Council should note that these projections represent the best estimates available, and Staff will continue to monitor and adjust the contract cost as necessary through the fiscal year and for as long the City continues to contract with LADAAC.
Staff recommends increasing the contract budget to ensure adequate funding for the animal control account for the remainder of FY 2023/24.
From: 101-55-593-138-6006 - $22,605.94
101-55-593-138-6008 - $8,215.08
101-55-593-138-6009 - $18,994.72
101-55-593-138-6017 - $11,371.83
Total Amount: $61,187.57
V. FISCAL IMPACT
If Council approves staff recommendation, the two outstanding invoices will be processed with no fiscal impact to the General Fund, as funds are being utilized from existing Public Safety accounts within the same fiscal year.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution No. 24-044 (pgs. 5-6)
2. Resolution No. 23-106 (pgs. 7-8)
3. LA County FY 2023-24 Service Level and Billing Rates Memo (pgs. 9-13)
4. FY 2023-24 Estimate Service Level Schedule (pg. 14)
5. Resolution No. 23-164 (pgs. 15-16)
6. FY 2024-25 Estimate Service Level Schedule (pg. 17)
Prepared by: Nora Garcia, Emergency Services Manager