R2023-168 Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Macon, Illinois and the City of Decatur, Illinois Regarding Animal Control Program

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August 17, 2023 TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe& Decatur City Council Members FROM: Scot Wrighton RE: Amendments to the City/County Animal Control Agreement Macon County has requested that the city approve certain amendments to the original 2011 intergovernmental agreement which set-up an arrangement whereby the county would handle animal control throughout the county, including inside the city limits of Decatur, and including enforcement of Decatur animal control ordinances. Since this agreement was first adopted, the city has heavily subsidized the county's city/county animal control operation. It is managed by county sheriff's office. Staff from both the city and county negotiated amendments over the last several months, and reached settlement on the attached version. The Macon County Board adopted the revisions at their last meeting. The principal (substantive) changes to the agreement are: 1. Starting this month,the city will take-over responsibility for picking up large dead wild animals (usually this means deer). Dead domestic animal removal will still be the responsibility of the county. Dealing with live wild animal removals will still be the county's responsibility. Even when the city picks up dead wild animals, the county will store carcasses until they can be taken to the landfill. 2. Most animal violations are misdemeanor ordinance violations, but if there is a felony animal control case originating inside the Decatur city limits,the city will handle the investigations. In the past, the county handled all animal-related investigations regardless of the severity of the cases. If the city wants an autopsy for its investigations, then the city must pay the cost. 3. The amount of time either the city or the county must give the other party if it wishes to terminate the agreement is increased from 3 months to 12 months.