Chino Hills delays decision on joining ARC JPA for animal control, asks for more financial and governance details

Chino Hills City Council on March 25 delayed a decision on whether the city should leave its longtime contract with Inland Valley Humane Society (IVHS) and join a new joint powers authority commonly referred to as ARC.

The council asked staff for more information on costs, membership percentages and governance before committing. Council members expressed interest in having a formal role on a regional board and asked for clearer numbers on both short‑term service impacts and long‑term capital and operating costs.

The issue rose after staff said the city’s existing agreement with IVHS expires on June 30, 2025, and that the proposed ARC membership would take effect in 2027 if Chino Hills joined. Assistant City Manager Rod Hill said the ARC is proposing a new shelter and that the city’s projected membership percentage in ARC is currently estimated at about 15 percent. Hill told the council that IVHS’s 2025 costs for Chino Hills are budgeted at $829,000 and that ARC’s projected 2027 costs were estimated at roughly $900,000, plus an estimated capital/construction cost allocation described in staff materials.

“The city’s current agreement with IBHS expires on 06/30/2025, with an automatic renewal,” Rod Hill said during the presentation.

Nicole Bresciani, president and CEO of Inland Valley Humane Society and SPCA, urged the council not to conflate operational concerns with service quality and said IVHS has not received formal breach notices. “We have never received a notice of breach of contract or any formal notification of dissatisfaction from Chino Hills or any other city we serve,” Bresciani said. She also described IVHS’s ongoing outreach and said the nonprofit remains available for regular communication with city staff.

Council members praised IVHS’s long record of service to Chino Hills but several said communication has eroded over time and that the city wants more direct influence over policy and operations. Supporters of joining ARC said the JPA would allow elected officials to sit on the board and share decision‑making and capital ownership; opponents and skeptical council members cited the risk that IVHS would lose revenue if multiple cities leave and that fixed costs could then be reallocated in ways that raise remaining cities’ charges.

Council discussion touched on wildlife and large‑animal response (rattlesnake and horse evacuation resources), pickup timelines for deceased animals, microchipping rebate administration, and whether the ARC model would ensure equipment or vehicles paid for by Chino Hills would be available locally when needed.

Public comment both for and against changing providers appeared during the meeting. Nicole Bresciani and other IVHS representatives told the council that the organization is willing to improve communication flows and to answer financial questions raised in staff reports.

After more than an hour of discussion and follow‑up questions for staff and IVHS, the council voted unanimously to continue the item for roughly 30 days so staff can return with additional financial details, governance options (including whether a single representative could speak for multiple contract cities), and clearer information about how the ARC/San Gabriel discussions would affect IVHS services in the region.

The council’s continued consideration means Chino Hills will retain IVHS services while staff develops the requested information. The city manager or designee is to return to council with a supplemental report and recommendations within the requested timeframe.