Council members demand urgent reforms for animal control agency

During the Kennewick City Council Workshop on December 10, 2024, a significant discussion emerged regarding the city's animal control services, highlighting concerns over responsiveness and oversight. Council member McShane emphasized the need for a thorough review of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) governing animal control, noting that the agency is required to present an annual budget to the cities involved. He pointed out that if this budget is not delivered within the next three weeks, it would indicate a failure to meet obligations.

McShane, along with other council members, expressed frustration over the lack of response from animal control in recent months. He shared personal experiences where he received no callbacks after reporting issues, underscoring a broader concern about the agency's effectiveness. The council members agreed on the importance of consistency across cities in animal control policies and the necessity for the agency to establish clear guidelines.

The council plans to task the city manager with reviewing the ILA and engaging in discussions to determine the best path forward. This includes ensuring that citizen oversight is incorporated into the process to enhance accountability and responsiveness. The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the issue and explore solutions that would improve animal control services in Kennewick.