Title
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WICHITA AND SEDGWICK COUNTY FOR INCREASED RECOVERY FEE TO PLACE ANIMALS IN THE WICHITA SHELTER RECOVERED BY THE SEDGWICK COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL PROGRAM FOR THE DIVISION OF HEALTH.
Presented by: Adrienne Byrne, Health Director.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the agreement and authorize the Chair to sign.
Body
The County’s current contract with the City of Wichita Animal Shelter (SHELTER) was signed in 2003. The contract includes a charge to Sedgwick County Animal Control (SCAC) of $25 per animal. SCAC pays the SHELTER for each animal brought to the SHELTER by SCAC and for each animal brought in by residents of SCAC jurisdiction (unincorporated areas and those under contract for animal control services with SCAC) that are not recovered by the owner. If an animal needs rabies quarantine, the contract includes a charge to SCAC of $44 per animal.
Because the current contract with the SHELTER was 14 years old, in 2017, the City of Wichita sent SCAC a new contract with increased rates and other provisions. The City of Wichita sent this same contract to all cities in Sedgwick County. Sedgwick County Legal, the Health Director, and SCAC worked with City of Wichita Legal and SHELTER Administration to modify the contract. The changes are as follows:
1. Charge per animal: $70 (This is a set fee no matter how long the animal stays at the SHELTER. SCAC is responsible for the animal for 3 days.)
- Current contract: $25
2. Rabies: $100 per animal
- Current contract: $44
3. SCAC will be charged only for animals found in unincorporated Sedgwick County. SHELTER will bill small cities separately for animals found in small cities.
- Current contract: SCAC is charged for animals found in small cities that have existing contract with SCAC
4. When a person claims an animal at the SHELTER, SHELTER staff will only collect “redemption” fees from that person if the animal was found in Wichita city limits. Fees will not be collected from jurisdictions outside of City of Wichita by SHELTER staff.
- Current contract: SHELTER staff collects redemption fees from everyone.
5. If an animal found in unincorporated Sedgwick County needs emergency vet care when brought to the SHELTER by the public, SHELTER will take to vet, notify SCAC and charge SCAC. If the charge will be greater than $250, the SHELTER will get approval from SCAC Supervisor before the medical care is given. Emergency vet care is defined in the contract.
- Current contract: Emergency vet care is not defined in the contract. No notification process is in the contract.
6. During regular business hours, SCAC staff will fill out admit ticket for an animal and give to SHELTER staff who will take care of the rest of the admit process. After business hours, SCAC staff will fill out admit ticket, place in triage cage, and provide with water.
- Current process: SCAC fully admits all animals (admit ticket, cage, water, food) at all times of day and night.
7. SHELTER will send itemized bill including location the animal was found and detailed description of services provided (including emergency vet care).
- Current process: Bills are not necessarily itemized.
In 2016, SCAC was responsible for placement of 815 animals at the SHELTER; a cost of $21,079 for shelter fees and rabies testing. The new rates will result in an estimated increase of 180% in shelter fees and 127% in rabies testing fees for SCAC compared to 2016 figures. In 2018, SCAC estimated expenses to the SHELTER are $58,647.
Alternatives:
(1) The Board of County Commissioners could elect not to enter into the agreement to provide services and the SHELTER not house the animals.
(2) The Board of County Commissioners could also seek to modify the terms of the current draft agreement.
Financial Considerations:
This agreement shall become effective once all parties have signed and continue until either party elects to terminate the agreement with a thirty (30) days written notification. Beginning January 1, 2018, the SHELTER will no longer collect the redemption fees for SCAC. The proposed contract states residents have to show a receipt before receiving their animal. Revenue generated will be managed through fund center 41001-110. See Attachment 1 for Cost Analysis prepared by City of Wichita. No additional budget authority is being requested for this agreement.
Legal Considerations: This agreement would be an agreement for services between municipalities, which is authorized pursuant to K.S.A. 12-2908. If approved, the agreement would supersede the existing 2003 agreement the County has with the City of Wichita. Approval is by simple majority vote.
Policy Considerations:
Outside Attendees:
Multimedia Presentation: No.