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SCRAPS director warns city of Spokane’s possible non‑renewal could force service level cuts or fee shifts
Summary
Acting leaders of Spokane County Regional Animal Protection and Control (SCRAPS) told county commissioners that the agency built its 2026 budget assuming member jurisdictions would sign new interlocal agreements and warned that City of Spokane non‑renewal would force service adjustments or higher county subsidy.
Acting SCRAPS leadership told commissioners the agency prepared its 2026 budget on the assumption that all member jurisdictions would sign updated interlocal agreements under a new regional funding model. The agency said the City of Spokane accounts for a large share of workload (about 52% of calls/animals) and that non‑renewal by the city would reduce service volume but not proportionally reduce fixed costs, requiring operational changes.
The presentation said SCRAPS has reduced costs over the past year through a mix of operational changes: restructuring shelter hours to match peak public demand, consolidating shelter shifts, tighter third‑party veterinary cost caps and technology improvements such as electronic citation systems. Those changes have reduced the agency’s operating shortfalls but capital needs remain — the presenters flagged potential future needs including crematorium interior repairs, HVAC updates, new office equipment, and replacement of worn animal‑housing flooring.
SCRAPS leaders said they had issued new interlocal agreements to jurisdictions and requested responses by an internal deadline (October 1 for the City of Spokane and November 1 for other jurisdictions); they said they will return with an alternative budget if major partners do not sign. Acting SCRAPS leadership also said that Spokane Valley and other cities have received draft agreements and that staffing already runs lean (the agency reported multiple vacancies and eight current open positions) to absorb any transition.
Commissioners asked what would happen operationally if jurisdictions declined to renew. SCRAPS said non‑renewal would likely require adjustments in hours of operation, scope of services, and staffing; the agency noted the county previously subsidized SCRAPS operations and that restoring enterprise fund status has been a longer‑term goal. Commissioners asked about care for livestock and exotic animals; SCRAPS said it does not maintain long‑term housing for horses or other large livestock and uses sanctuaries and the fairgrounds for large seizures.
The board did not vote. SCRAPS asked commissioners for guidance and said it would return with an alternate budget showing the financial and service‑level impacts of different interlocal sign‑up scenarios.
