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Council accepts contract with TACA for emergency intake; declines high‑cost Waco option
Summary
With limited local shelter capacity, Bruceville‑Eddy council approved a contract with TACA (a regional animal control provider) at $400 per intake and declined the costlier City of Waco interlocal; council retained ability to revisit options next fiscal year.
The Bruceville‑Eddy City Council on Feb. 27 approved a contract with a regional animal control provider, TACA, to receive animals from the city at a per‑animal fee rather than enter a costlier interlocal agreement with the City of Waco.
City Administrator Kent Manton summarized two options staff negotiated: a limited interlocal with the City of Waco that would guarantee six drop‑offs but carries a monthly charge (the contract as presented would cost the city several thousand dollars for the remainder of this fiscal year and staff warned it could rise in future years), and a vendor agreement with TACA that would accept animals at approximately $400 per animal and did not impose a firm cap.
Police Chief Michael Dorsey and staff said the city has exhausted its options with local foster and shelter partners and needs an intake solution for stray, seized or abandoned animals. Chief Dorsey said the department has transport capacity and cages to secure animals for transport. He told council, “We definitely need something,” and described TACA as a viable, lower‑cost option that would provide flexibility.
Councilman Wiggins moved to approve the TACA agreement; the motion passed unanimously. Council members emphasized they retained the option to revisit shelter arrangements in future budget years and that the city could cancel any interlocal if costs rose beyond available funds. Staff will proceed with contracting and operational details.
Estimated fiscal impact for the remainder of the current fiscal year was reported in staff materials: roughly $4,683 additional if the Waco interlocal were used; the TACA option would be charged per intake at about $400. The city’s animal control budget for the year was $10,000.
