Public and commissioners ask Austin Animal Services to set measurable targets before council adoption of strategic plan

Public commenters and several commissioners urged Austin Animal Services and the commission on March 10 to develop measurable baselines and targets for the department’s strategic plan before it is presented to City Council.

Multiple working‑group members and volunteers said the plan’s language is useful but that unspecified or vague measures could be met with very small changes. Volunteer Shelly Leebam, who participated on a working group, said the plan needs numeric baselines before targets are set so stakeholders can see progress compared to current performance. Long‑time volunteer and former commissioner Pat Valdres told the commission she was “caught off guard” at the speed of the process and said, “I would like this to not be approved as a plan until it has targets.”

Commissioners discussed the need for baselines and what data ASO can provide. Staff said analysts must first confirm what measures are being requested; some routinely tracked measures are easier to produce than others. Staff indicated the city manager’s office may still involve the advisory commission in target‑setting and that the commission could continue to provide input.

Commissioners asked that the commission receive baselines and return with suggested targets so council decisions in the coming months are informed by quantifiable objectives. No formal vote was taken to withhold endorsement, but multiple public commenters and commissioners urged delaying final adoption until targets are agreed.

Ending: Commissioners added a budget discussion to a future agenda and requested staff follow up on baseline data for the plan’s measures.