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Council reserves $20,000 to pursue spay-and-neuter options as parish signals end to animal-control contract
Summary
After the parish president said he would not renew the parish's animal-control contract with the city, New Iberia councilors debated next steps, including audits, temporary measures and whether to build a shelter; council approved a $20,000 allocation to research and set up a spay-and-neuter program or other short-term interventions.
The New Iberia City Council on Sept. 2 approved setting aside up to $20,000 to pursue a spay-and-neuter program and to research short-term options after the parish president told the mayor he will not renew the parish's animal-control contract when it expires in six months.
Mayor told the council he received a phone call from the parish president announcing the decision and that the notice could leave New Iberia without a place to take animals or a parish-run dog service to pick up strays. "In 6 months, we could be faced with having no shelter to bring animals to and nobody to pick them up," the mayor said.
Council members, police and staff discussed multiple consequences: shelter capacity at volunteer organizations is full; building a municipal shelter would likely cost in the low millions and carry recurring operational costs; and immediate options are limited. Council members raised short-term remedies discussed in the meeting: hiring a dedicated civilian animal-control employee under the police department and reclaiming city-owned capture equipment, negotiating a short extension with the parish, contracting with local veterinarians for vouchers or discounted surgeries, or temporarily funding spay-and-neuter vouchers.
The mayor told council he did not want to spend the $20,000 immediately if the city might need to provide a larger shelter or other services; several council members urged reserving the funds so staff could immediately start negotiations and program design. "If we start it where it's too low that people don't want to bid on it, we'll just have to readjust," the mayor said of a potential voucher program.
Chiefs and council members urged accountability and data: council asked for past-year records showing how parish funds were spent on animal control and shelter operations, and several members proposed an audit to clarify whether the city was receiving the services it paid for. One councilor asked staff to request documentation of parish service levels for the last three years.
Councilman Troy Como moved to set aside funds; Councilman David Merrill seconded. Council voted to reserve up to $20,000 so staff can pursue partnerships and a program design, with the caveat that money will not be expended until council approves specific agreements.
Council also discussed operational details that would affect any local program: dogs (versus cats) pose higher liability for re-release programs, veterinary capacity and the need for insurance when private contractors enter private property. Council directed staff to return with options, to seek records from the parish, and to pursue an audit of prior parish expenditures related to animal control.
