Change in store for Yolo County Animal Services

An investigation into the Yolo County Animal Services department found that the services offered to the county are hampered by high costs and conflicting expectations, according to a Grand Jury report released Friday.

“The Grand Jury found the shelter, animal control and related services are available for limited and inconvenient hours, the services contracted to UC Davis and the local cities continue to become more costly and without transparency with regards to the development of rates during the negotiation process,” the report states.

The investigation started after the Grand Jury received two separate complaints about the division, which covered a range of issues.

The Grand Jury decided to do some initial research, interviews, a more detailed investigation of Animal Services operations, hours, services and funding.

The six-page report detailed each area, including a background about the department’s role in Yolo County, and its organizational framework.

One of these issues was nepotism.

“A blatant case of nepotism in Animal Services has been rectified as a result of the investigation,” the report states. “However, there have been no consequences to the supervisor in a nepotistic relationship.”

After finding the nepotism claims true, The Grand Jury called for an amended nepotism policy, which would provide consequences and hold violators of the policy responsible for their actions.

The report also states the department is caught in the middle of a “thorny dispute” over animal rights.

“Animal Services works under a range of often conflicting expectations,” the report states. “Citizens with issues want quick and available services. Many people want to see fewer animals euthanized. Some want there to be no euthanasia, while others feel such a goal is impractical, if not impossible.”

The percentage of animals euthanized is down, however, decreasing significantly throughout the past several years.

At the same time, Animal Services’ rates have increased, causing cutbacks to services available to the cities.

These budget constraints have affected what the department can offer, and when they are offered.

Under its recommendations, the Grand Jury is making four suggestions:

•The Chief Animal Services Officer, in coordination with Human Resources, shall alter and stagger work schedules so that shelter services are available for longer hours by September 1, 2015

•City Managers for Woodland and Winters shall continue to develop alternative options for animal services, and report their progress to the respective City Councils.

•The Yolo County Sheriff, in coordination with the County Administrator, shall be more transparent and negotiate rates for animal services, as well as negotiating the amount and types of services By January 1, 2016. The Sheriff’s Department shall give each City the opportunity to renegotiate the contract and the rates for July 1, 2016.

•Human Resources shall recommend an amended nepotism policy to the Board of Supervisors to include consequences that would hold violators of this policy responsible for their actions by August 1, 2015.

June 6, 2015

Daily Democrat

By Democrat Staff