Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control Contract topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission extends Florida Keys SPCA contract amid calls for stricter free‑roaming dog enforcement in Lower Keys
Summary
Commissioners approved a five‑year extension of the county’s contract with the Florida Keys SPCA after public testimony and debate over calls for more patrols and confidentiality of callers reporting at‑large dogs; the county attorney said some requested confidentiality is not allowed under state law.
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners on April 16 voted to waive purchasing rules and extend its contract with the Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) through Sept. 30, 2030, approving a change to the contractor’s annual adjustment formula to a fixed 3% annual increase.
A group of residents and the Key Deer Protection Alliance urged the commission to continue the item for one month so they could negotiate contract language with county staff and SPCA. Alicia Putney of the Key Deer Protection Alliance asked the board to delay, saying in part, "We would ask the commission to vote to continue agenda item C5 for 1 month to give KDPA the opportunity to discuss our remaining 6 recommendations with growth management and SPCA."
Putney asked for contract emphasis on four operational elements the alliance said already appear in the contract — treating aggressive free‑roaming dogs as an emergency, issuing citations after a first warning, referring calls to an animal control officer in the field or on call, and increasing patrols in endangered‑species areas — and asked the county to add two additional elements to the SPCA procedures: have one of the animal control officers who lives on Big Pine Key be on call after normal business hours and allow officers to respond directly to addresses callers provide, while maintaining confidentiality for callers.
Kevin (county staff) responded at length and recommended approving the contract extension without delay. He told the board that while many of the alliance’s requested changes could be handled as “emphasis” items, confidentiality requests would likely conflict with Florida’s public records and sunshine laws. "Florida sunshine law doesn't allow us to do that," he said regarding requests to keep complainants’ names confidential. He also said the SPCA already has two certified animal control officers (with a third certified soon) who live on Big Pine Key and that the county could face higher recurring costs for expanded patrols and longer shelter hours.
Commission discussion stressed responsiveness to resident complaints and the SPCA’s ongoing role; one commissioner said the county had quick response from SPCA staff when residents alerted them. After discussion a motion to approve the contract extension passed (motion and second recorded; vote not roll‑called on the transcript).
Ending: The extension was approved; commissioners and speakers said they expected further follow‑up with SPCA and community groups about enforcement priorities and patrol levels.
