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City administrator: Fayetteville and county continue to rebuild animal control services; 47 intakes reported in February
Summary
City Administrator Kevin Owens updated the board on the joint city-county animal control operations, reporting 47 intakes and continued work on staffing, software and reimbursement arrangements under an April 2024 agreement.
City Administrator Kevin Owens told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that the city and county have continued rebuilding animal control operations since the city took lead responsibility in October 2023. "At that time, we had to rebuild everything with animal control, including retaining employees, getting furniture, software, building maintenance, electrical systems," Owens said, and he outlined staffing, equipment and software work completed since late 2023.
Owens reported operational numbers and ongoing coordination with the county. He said the shelter census stood at 47 and that the city recorded 42 intakes in February; the board was told there were six adoptions and three necessary euthanasias in that month. Owens said the city and county meet regularly and planned another meeting on April 2 to continue strategic planning, court-procedures coordination and reimbursement discussions.
Alderman Rashid asked for clarity about the county/city cost-sharing. Owens said the April 2024 agreement adopted by the city and county assigned lead operational responsibility to the city and called for the county to reimburse 50% of costs. Owens said staff are still working to smooth reimbursements and related policies but that the monthly reports from new software now make intake and call tracking available.
Why it matters: animal-control operations affect public safety, animal welfare and municipal budgets. The city's report shows both an operational workload (intakes, adoptions, euthanasias) and ongoing administrative work to formalize policies, staff roles and cost-sharing with the county.
What remains: staff will continue the April 2 meeting with county partners, prepare a more detailed strategic plan for the board's strategic-planning session on March 22, and continue to reconcile monthly reimbursements under the existing interlocal arrangement.
