Committee hears animal services restoration request and updates on homelessness funding and partnerships

The mayor’s proposed budget includes funds to restore positions and operations within the city’s animal services program after earlier proposed reductions. Presenters told the committee that a combination of internal savings and year‑end funds would allow the administration to return about $6.5 million to animal services — including money to refill eliminated positions and $1 million for employee displacement costs — if the committee recommends the appropriation.

Homelessness funding and InsideSafe accounting Budget staff also discussed ongoing homelessness programs and partnerships. The administration proposed continuing a mix of general fund, county and prior‑year revenue to support street cleanup, hygiene services and program beds. The committee asked for detail on a $39 million figure the administration said reflects anticipated county reimbursement for certain Alliance beds charged beginning in January 2025; staff said some bed counts are counted prospectively (starting January) because an existing policy prevents retroactive counting.

Committee members asked for memoranda clarifying which homelessness contracts and programs are covered in line items totaling $144 million and requested a breakdown of which beds and contracts qualify for county reimbursement versus those counted for other accounting purposes.

Ending City staff committed to provide a memo that itemizes the animal services funding restoration and the homelessness program line items, and to summarize which adult shelter and rapid rehousing beds will be counted for county reimbursement.