To: Board of Supervisors
From: Beth Ward, Animal Services Director
Report Title: Add one Community and Media Specialist; Appropriation and Revenue Adjustment in the Animal Services Department.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Position Resolution No. 26230 to add one (1) Community and Media Specialist (APTC) (represented) position, at salary plan and grade TB5 1511 ($6,669 - $8,106) in the Animal Services Department.
Animal Services Department (0366): APPROVE Budget Amendment No. BDA-23-00296 to decrease FY 23-24 Field Services (3331) Permanent Salaries (1011) by $53,300 and increase Community Services (3347) Permanent Salaries (1011) by the same account in the Animal Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Position Adjustment has an estimated cost of $106,705, which includes an approximate benefits cost of $34,087. This position will be funded by 100% County General Fund.
The Appropriation Adjustment action will result in decreasing Field Services (3331) Permanent Salaries (1011) and increasing the Community Services (3347) Permanent Salaries (1011) by $53,300 in the Animal Services Department.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa Animal Services Department has an immediate need for a permanent Community and Media Specialist due to the current marketing associate contractor canceling their FY 2023/24 contract effective 10/11/2023, which will significantly impact the Department’s social media and marketing platforms. The potential loss of maintaining a strong social media and marketing presence will be an extreme challenge in the current state of trying to assist the community while saving animal lives.
The Department’s contracted Cities and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors have expressed interest and recommendations for the Department to provide more “community services” in local communities. This recommendation was also detailed in the current Civil Grand Jury report on the Department, which the County agreed to research and implement. Presently, the Department has one contractor position to support its Community and Media Relations Coordinator, which would be expanded with a Community and Media Specialist. The Department has reallocated $50,000 from media and marketing contracts which will subsidize the Community and Media Specialist’s approximate $106,705 annual salary. The additional allocation estimated at $53,300 will support the position allocation request.
The Department is requesting a budget amendment for FY 2023/24 to establish and implement this classification.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Animal Services Department will continue to be challenged with obtaining the support necessary to maintain social media presence and marketing support if not approved.