To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera, 707-565-4774
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Health Services Fees Proposed Ordinance (Second Reading)
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt an ordinance titled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma, State of California, Adopting New Fees and Adjusting Fees Effective July 1, 2022 for the Sonoma County Department of Health Services Public Health Laboratory and Animal Services.”
end
Executive Summary:
On March 22, 2022, at a regular meeting, the Board of Supervisors introduced a proposed ordinance to adopt new fees and adjust existing fees for the Department of Health Services, effective July 1, 2022. The new and amended fees are for services associated with the Public Health Laboratory and Sonoma County Animal Services (SCAS). This Board item recommends adoption of that ordinance.
For Public Health Laboratory services, recommended fee adjustments intend to recover increased labor costs, which are expected to increase by 2.0% from FY 2021-22. Therefore, most of the Public Health Lab’s fees are increasing approximately by 2.0%. Additionally, a new fee is proposed for Molecular Laboratory: FluA/FluB/RSV/COVID19 (PerkinElmer). Total estimated revenue change is $56,249.
In 2019, the County Administrator’s Office staff enacted best management practice implementation to periodically review fees and charges (F&C) for service cost components and calculation methodology assumptions. As a result, under department head authority, the CAO’s Operations and Budget staff engaged NBS Consultants to conduct a review of three selected departments/programs. Sonoma County Animal Services was selected from the Department of Health Services.
On March 22, 2022 staff presented two sets of fee scenarios for Animal Services; one with adjustments according to the consultant report with a focus on full recovery of the cost of delivering services; and another assuming a $233,830 subsidy from General Fund included to maintain fees at a reduced level with a cost of doing business increase. The Board approved the increase to the ongoing contribution for Animal Services for certain client and animal services determined to have a negative impact to residents and/or the program if fees are increased significantly.
Discussion:
Public Health Laboratory Services Fees
Revised fees are requested to recover increased labor costs that have increased 2.0%. The Department is proposing approximately 2.0% increases to most Public Health Laboratory fees.
Proposed Additions to the Public Health Laboratory fee schedule:
The Public Health Laboratory has one proposed addition to the Public Health Laboratory fee schedule this year, Molecular Laboratory: FluA/FluB/RSV/COVID19 (PerkinElmer). As with the case with other COVID tests added in August 2021, the Department is establishing a fee for use in the future to use when COVID-19 funding is no longer available to cover the cost of providing the testing service.
The overall increase in revenue for FY 22-23 Public Health Laboratory services is estimated at $56,249
Sonoma County Animal Services Fees
On March 22, 2022 the Department provided two fee scenarios for consideration. One fee scenario, developed at full-cost recovery for all services, would result in a proposed aggregated increase of all fees of 13.69%. This scenario would generate a total revenue increase to Animal Services of $211,000.
The second fee scenario presented and approved by your Board requested support to subsidize fees which placed an impact on the community and current Animal Services. The total subsidy proposed to be funded with County General Fund for FY 22-23 for these categories is $233,830 to maintain the fees at the same level with a CODBI adjustment.
On March 22, 2022, the Board approved the increase to the contribution for Animal Services for certain client and animal services determined to have a negative impact to residents and/or the program if fees are increased significantly. In May 2022, the Board will be reviewing a report and recommendation from staff regarding Animal Services operations and its placement within the County. The length of term for the $233,830 additional support funding will be discussed.
A summary of the approved subsidy items is shown below using the following methodology: Provide subsidy to adjust downward NBS 100% cost recovery calculations for FY 19-20 Cost of Service per Activity rates; apply CODBI factor, increasing the rates by 13.69% from FY 19-20 to arrive at FY 22-23 rates.
Adoption and adoptions fees
Total amount of subsidy - $96,030.64.
Spay/Neutering programs
Total amount of subsidy - $3,134.57.
Licensing
Total amount of subsidy - $63,074.76.
Kennel/Pet Shop License
Total amount of subsidy - $6,283.76.
Impound Fees
Total amount of subsidy - $65,306.27.
Total subsidy for FY 22-23 for these categories is $233,830.
Fee Additions/New Fees:
The following new fees are veterinarian services being provided but were not specifically identified by cost or service type in the previous cost structure.
1. Additional Vet Care Services: Medication Fee - $61.00 per unit
2. Additional Vet Care Services: Exam - $74.00 per event
3. Additional Vet Care Services: Outside Lab Work Minor - $49.00 per unit
4. Additional Vet Care Services: Outside Lab Work Comprehensive - $49.00 per unit
5. Additional Vet Care Services: In House Lab Work - $37.00 per unit
6. Additional Vet Care Services: Sedation - $98.00 per event
7. Additional Vet Care Services: General Anesthesia - $111.00 per event
8. Additional Vet Care Services: Surgery Level 1 - $74.00 per event
9. Additional Vet Care Services: Surgery Level 2 - $147.00 per event
10. Additional Vet Care Services: Surgery Level 3 - $221.00 per event
11. Additional Vet Care Services: Veterinary Treatment Level 1 - $74.00 per event
12. Additional Vet Care Services: Veterinary Treatment Level 2 - $111.00 per event
13. Additional Vet Care Services: Veterinary Treatment Level 3 - $147.00 per event
14. Other Vet Services Not Listed
15. Kennel Reinspection Fee - $147.00 per event
Fee Deletions:
None
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
On March 22, 2022 the Board A) adopted a resolution reading the title and waiving further reading of a proposed ordinance titled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma, State of California, Adopting New Fees and Adjusting Fees Effective July 1, 2022 for the Sonoma County Department of Health Services Public Health Laboratory and Animal Services” and B) increased ongoing contribution by $233,830 for Animal Services in Fiscal Year 2022-23 to fees for certain client and animal services determined to have a negative impact to residents and/or the program if fees are increased significantly.
On July 13, 2021 the Board conducted a public hearing to consider and adopt a resolution establishing new and amended fees to recover the reasonable cost of providing services associated with the Public Health Laboratory for the Department of Health Services effective August 1, 2021.
On March 24, 2020 the Board adopted a resolution establishing new and amended fees to recover the reasonable cost of providing services including fees associated with Environmental Health and Safety, Public Health Laboratory, and Tobacco Retailer Licensing for the Department of Health Services effective July 1, 2020.
On May 14, 2019 the Board adopted a resolution establishing new and amended fees to recover the reasonable cost of providing services including fees associated with Environmental Health and Safety, Public Health Laboratory, and Sonoma County Animal Services for the Department of Health Services effective July 1, 2019.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY 22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$158,478 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
$158,478 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
$233,830 |
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
($75,352) |
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
$158,478 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Fee increases and any General Fund adjustments will be effective FY 2022-2023 on July 1, 2022. The baseline net effect of fee changes is estimated to be approximately $158,478 without projected department workload increases. This amount includes a reduction of $75,352 in revenue received from fees and $233,830 from the General Fund and will be included in Sonoma County Animal Services’ FY 2022-2023 recommended budget.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
|
|
|
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Proposed Ordinance with Proposed New Fees and Fee Adjustments as Exhibit A
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None