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County moves to explore Joint Powers Authority for animal services; temporary shift to administration proposed
Summary
Administration proposed temporarily placing animal services under county administration and pursuing a regional Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to improve governance and funding; board accepted the concept and staff will continue work with pro bono counsel.
County administration recommended that animal services be temporarily placed on paper under county administration as a transition step toward forming a regional Joint Powers Authority (JPA) covering Tehama and neighboring jurisdictions.
Gabe Heydrich described the proposed sequence: move animal services under county administration to ensure continuity for contracts, legal and fiscal support, then form a JPA including Tehama County, adjacent counties and several cities to create a sustainable, regionally governed animal services entity. Administration representatives said the proposed change would not alter frontline staffhours, wages or service levels and would help the agricultural department meet state funding thresholds.
Tom Moss, the Tehama County Agricultural Commissioner, said the current placement of animal services within the Ag Department reduces unclaimed gas-tax funding the department can receive; separating the functions would allow the Ag Department to focus on inspections and industry support. Christine McClintock (animal services management) described service growth (from 3 employees in early years to 7 now plus contracts) and said a JPA could create a clearer single line item for the county while giving partners a stronger voice in governance.
Administration said it has engaged a Bay Area legal firm pro bono to help draft a JPA structure and included county counsel. The board did not adopt a final JPA agreement at this meeting but supported continuing the transition work and approved related budget truing-up items for animal services that are grant-funded and do not increase net general-fund cost.
Board members asked several operational questions about grants, staffing and whether the JPA would affect local service levels; administration emphasized the change was intended to improve long-term sustainability while preserving current frontline operations.
Next steps: staff will continue the legal and fiscal review, coordinate with the ag commissioner and stakeholders, and bring formal documents and an implementation plan back to the board for approval.
