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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final March 10, 2020 A. Community Development B. Emergency Services 12.B.1. 20-1393 Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between Humane Society Vero Beach & Indian River County Florida Inc., and the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners. Recommended Action: Staff is requesting guidance from the Board to either enter into discussions with the Humane Society of Vero Beach to house animals for a period of up to six months and to return a MOU for Board consideration at a future meeting, or to make the necessary preparations for the purchase of the necessary buildings, staffing and equipment necessary for establishing a County run and maintained Animal Services facility. Attachments: Staff Report Draft MOU Estimated Expenses Director of Emergency Services Tad Stone addressed the Board to request guidance for entering into a temporary six (6) -month Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), included in his memo dated March 5, 2020 and prepared by the Humane Society Vero Beach & Indian River County Florida Inc. (Humane Society), for the in-house sheltering of animals picked up by the County's Animal Control Officers. He pointed out that the current contract between the County and the Humane Society would expire on April 30, 2020, and that the Humane Society did not wish to extend the current contract. Another option mentioned by Chief Stone was to begin the process of starting the County's own animal services facility for animals picked up by the County's Animal Control Officers. Discussion from the Board began with Chairman Adams noting the expense of establishing an animal shelter, and preferred to work through the MOU process. Commissioner Solari offered his understanding that the Humane Society would be using the trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate, release (TNVR) program going forward. Vice Chairman Flescher was interested in knowing whether TNVR would be part of the agreement between the County and the Humane Society, as he did not feel it was in the best interest of the citizens of the County. Michelle Quigley, Director of Government Relations, Humane Society Vero Beach, stated that the MOU would offer continuity in providing vital services, and would also provide the Board with time to decide how they wished to proceed. She stated that during the MOU period, operations would be mirrored on the wording stated in the draft MOU, and discussions would then take place on many needed changes, including TNVR. Indian River County Florida Page 11