TITLE
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO OPERATE ANIMAL SERVICES PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OUTREACH PROGRAMS
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Jorge Ortega
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BACKGROUND
Background
Under North Carolina law, the acceptance of gifts, in-kind donations, and personal property donations by counties is governed by NCGS § 153A-11 (Corporate Powers), § 153A-12 (Exercise of Corporate Power), and Guilford County Code § 2-1. These laws authorize the County to accept donations and gifts of property, money, or services for public purposes. The Board of Commissioners exercises the authority to accept donations of real or personal property (GS § 153A-12) but may delegate the authority to receive donations to one or more staff members. According to the County Budget Ordinance, the County Manager (or designee) is empowered to accept gifts and donations of property or services up to a value of $75,000 per donation.
When these items are no longer useful or needed, they must be disposed of in accordance with State statute and the County's disposal policies
Animal Services offers community outreach events, including a Mobile Pet Assistance Center (MPAC), to offer free services such as rabies vaccinations, pet microchips, pet food, and supplies (e.g., leashes, collars, beds) to those in need. Animal Services can provide rabies vaccinations purchased by the County for use under the County’s authority to provide rabies control and response. This action will memorialize the approval to operate a public assistance donation receipt and distribution program to provide donated goods to residents in need, which means it must comply with certain donation acceptance and property disposal statutes and policies.
The Animal Services department may, upon approval by the Board of Commissioners and in compliance with applicable laws and County policies, partner with the Department of Health and Human Services to engage in public assistance programs which accept and use donated pet-related goods to residents in need. With this approval and appropriate integration with the Division of Social Services, Animal Services may treat the distribution of the donations intended to support these programs to community members as uses of the donated items, instead of disposal as surplus property. Once accepted, these donations (and donations made without restrictions as to the end user) may be distributed to individuals in need. This program will serve a public purpose by providing pet-related goods to pet owners in need and avoid certain Animal Shelter expenses by reducing the number of animals surrendered to the Animal Shelter.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Authorize Guilford County Animal Services, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services and in compliance with applicable laws and County policies, to operate public assistance outreach programs which accept and use community pet-related donations, including vaccinations, spay/neuter vouchers, microchip vouchers, pet food, pet supplies and related goods, and social service support to assist residents in need and avoid certain Animal Shelter expenses by reducing the number of animals surrendered to the Animal Shelter.
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