BARC director urges phased nonprofit partnership; LGC seen as longer-term option amid public safety concerns

BARC Director Jared Mears told the joint committees that the agency needs immediate funding and operational steps to address rising public-safety risks tied to loose and feral animals while also boosting live-release (adoptions, fosters, rescues). BARC presented a feasibility study that compares two options: creating a local government corporation (LGC) to run non-enforcement shelter operations, or issuing an RFP to contract with an experienced nonprofit partner in phases.

Mears stressed immediate public-safety priorities: BARC currently responds to roughly 58% of all calls for service, the agency meets 99% of priority 1 and 2 public-safety calls (active bites and imminent threats), but lacks capacity to reach lower-priority calls. Recent incidents—multiple severe maulings and a fatal attack in the span of a month—underscore the risk, Mears said.

Findings and recommendation

- Funding and capacity: BARC reported a $47,000,000 bond to build a new 150-kennel shelter; construction and staffing are underway but the director said earlier design work is complete and the city is…