To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ben Winkleblack, Animal Services Director
Report Title: Add two (2) Animal Shelter Veterinarian positions in the Animal Services Department.
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
/
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Position Adjustment No. 26674 to add two (2) Animal Shelter Veterinarian - Exempt (BKS1) positions at salary plan and grade B85-1957 ($12,374.44 - $15,041.21) in the Animal Services Department. (Unrepresented)
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action is budget-neutral and will result in no additional net County cost. The estimated cost of the two (2) Shelter Veterinarian positions, including benefits, is $320,833 for FY 2026-27 (December 7, 2026, through June 30, 2027). Costs will be fully offset by reallocating existing appropriations from the Department’s contracted veterinary services budget (Org 3336, Account 2310). After funding the positions, the Department anticipates net savings of approximately $70,000 in FY 2026-27 and approximately $103,500 annually beginning in FY 2027-28.
BACKGROUND:
The Department is requesting approval to add two (2) full-time Animal Shelter Veterinarian positions, effective December 7, 2026. This increases the classification from two (2) FTE Shelter Veterinarians to four (4) FTE Shelter Veterinarians and the Department’s total authorized positions from 90 FTE to 92 FTE. This request is budget-neutral and is projected to generate savings. The positions will be funded by reallocating appropriations from the Department’s contracted veterinary services budget (3336-2310).
In FY 2025-26, the Department paid $711,944 to twelve (12) contract veterinarians to cover daily and weekly gaps in veterinary coverage. Currently, the shelter has no veterinary coverage on Sundays and only partial coverage on Saturdays. Critical cases on those days must be sent to an outside 24-hour emergency provider at additional cost. Adding two employee veterinarians will provide consistent, on-site medical coverage seve...
Click here for full text