11-18-2003Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ r 03712 COUNTY ATTORNEY - 2a. DISCUSS & APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH THE NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT - County Attorney Jerry Janulewicz was present. A copy of the agreement with Health and Human Services was distributed to the board members. Janulewicz stated that he and several other county attorneys over the last four weeks negotiated a new agreement with HHS. They were able to come to a consensus with HHS concerning issues involving representation and limitations on comments that the attorney could make on child support issues. Janulewicz stated that he is satisfied with the new agreement and recommend to approve and authorize the chair to sign it. Jeffries made a motion and Hartman seconded to approve the agreement with Health and Human Services and authorize the chair to sign the contract. Chairman Lancaster thanked Jerry for negotiating this contract, as funding gets tighter it is important to address all areas that are affected. Arnold, Eriksen, Hartman, Humiston, Jeffries, Lancaster and Rye all voted yes and none voted no. Motion carried. 2b EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSS & APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH CENTRAL NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY - County Attorney Jerry Janulewicz stated that for many years the calls for stray animals for the county were channeled through the Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department would approve the calls and process the claims for the services. The Sheriff would like to have these calls directed through the humane society. They have met several times to negotiate a new contract and a copy of the proposed agreement was provided to the board members. Janulewicz stated that the board does not need to take action on this today but he would like to discuss it and put it on the agenda for the next meeting. The proposed agreement is patterned off of the old agreement, but it is important to keep in mind that life in the rural areas of the county is different than in the city and the various subdivision. The society would still handle some activities such as a bite or cruelty to animals. The average cost of the contract is about $626.00 per month. The national average for animal control is about $3.00 per inhabitant and with a population of about 3800 people in the rural area it would be about $11,000.00 a year or $950.00 a month. The Humane Society did not indicate that the $3.00 figure is correct. Instead of the calls going through the Sheriff's Department they would go through the society. They are proposing a contract that would go to the end of this fiscal year and then address the number of calls that the society receives and address the fees again. The fees that the humane society receives not is based on a per call basis but the new contract will be a flat fee. Jeffries questioned where Mr. Janulewicz got the number of rural residents and he stated that Chad Nabity with Regional Planning provided him with the numbers. Jeffries questioned the page that listed the types of rabid animals and questioned if this should be changed. Janulewicz stated that the rabid animals are also addressed on page 13. Jeffries stated that the Humane Society has a tremendous obligation to the city and the rural areas and the county needs to support them and pay our fair share. Arnold pointed out that the county also has a contract with Fish and Wildlife to deal with some of these problems. Lancaster stated that the board needs to discuss the financial issues on this agreement in executive session and then address the new agreement in two weeks. 2