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Board reviews annual USDA wildlife services agreement; county supplements state‑employed officer
Summary
Sheriff's office presented renewal of a long‑standing agreement to fund a USDA wildlife services officer; the county supplements salary and vehicle/fuel costs and the contract increase is just under $2,000 this year.
The Board reviewed a routine renewal of an intergovernmental agreement that supplements a USDA wildlife services officer who handles wildlife calls and conflict responses across Cochise County.
Commander Kenny Bradshaw, presenting for the Sheriff’s Office, said the county has held the agreement for nearly 20 years and that this year’s contract reflects an increase “just under $2,000” for the officer’s salary. Bradshaw described the officer’s duties broadly: responding to destructive or sick animals and wildlife conflicts countywide — “if you have a coyote in your chicken coop, he’s the one that goes and takes care of it,” he said.
Supervisor Gomez asked whether feral/“wild” cats in Douglas would fall under the wildlife officer; Bradshaw said domestic/feral cat issues are handled by animal control, while the USDA wildlife services officer handles wild animals. Bradshaw explained funding is a supplement: the officer is employed by the state/federal program, and the county pays part of vehicle and fuel costs.
No vote occurred during the work session; the agreement will appear on the regular agenda for board action. County staff characterized the item as an annual administrative renewal with a modest budgetary increase.
