Kennedale council approves interlocal animal‑services partnership with Everman and Forest Hill

Kennedale City Council voted unanimously Nov. 18 to approve an interlocal agreement joining Municipal Animal Services, a regional animal‑services partnership hosted by Everman that already serves Forest Hill and Edgecliff Village and would add Kennedale as a participant.

City officials and the Municipal Animal Services representative told the council the partnership consolidates sheltering and animal control operations to improve coverage and reduce duplicated costs. The representative outlined a proposed operating budget of $495,000, with Everman receiving a $100,000 base allocation and the remaining $395,000 to be divided among participating cities on a pro‑rata population basis.

The presenter said the regional model provides expanded staffing and services, including a dedicated animal services manager, multiple full‑time animal control officers, a community outreach coordinator, free microchipping for residents and proactive community engagement. On staffing transition, the presenter said Kennedale’s current officer would not lose his position and would be part of a rotating assignment so residents “would absolutely still see him within the community and he would be one of the officers that responds out here as a part of the team.”

During the presentation the representative emphasized adoption goals and shelter outcomes: “Our goal is to get every healthy, adoptable animal out of our shelter,” and described a policy goal of “a 100% adoption rate for every healthy, adoptable animal,” saying the program’s current adoption rate is above 95 percent.

Council members asked how local dispatch, emergency response and community interactions would work under the regional model; the presenter said the shelter’s phone system is set to ensure calls roll to staff and, if unanswered, to the 24‑7 dispatch center so an on‑call officer can be dispatched.

After questions, Councilman Jeff Navarz made the motion to approve the interlocal agreement; the motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous vote. The action authorizes Kennedale to participate in Municipal Animal Services and directs staff to finalize the interlocal documents.

Council documents provided at the meeting show the partnership also seeks to pursue a renovated or new shelter facility (a target of about 60 kennels), but those capital plans and any grant or purchase agreements were described as separate, ongoing work.