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Pacific aldermen approve Franklin County Humane Society contract without 'citizen drop-off' language
Summary
The board voted to accept a contract with the Franklin County Humane Society after rejecting city-requested redlines that would have restricted citizen drop-offs; aldermen said the change reduces the city's financial exposure but raised concerns about potential increases in abandoned animals and logistics for short-term sheltering.
Mayor Felic presented a proposed renewal agreement with the Franklin County Humane Society and explained staff had attempted to remove a clause that allowed citizens to drop off animals and bill the city. The humane society rejected the city's redlines. After discussion about fiscal exposure and animal control logistics, Alderman Cleave moved and the board voted to accept the contract as presented — that is, without the city's requested redlines.
Mayor Felic explained the city's redline sought to limit automatic billing to the city when a citizen dropped off an animal, and to require preauthorization by a city official if a non-police department actor turned over an animal. "A citizen could drop off an animal to Franklin County Humane Society, and the city of Pacific was billed for that drop off," the mayor said, noting that in 2023 most drop-offs recorded on bills were citizen turn-ins. Several aldermen said they worried citizen drop-offs could be used to abandon animals; others said the humane society is the practical rehoming resource for the city given limited municipal holding capacity.
The motion to accept the contract without the redlines passed by voice vote. Mayor Felic and staff said they will continue discussions with Franklin County Humane Society representatives and other municipalities to seek mutually acceptable language and will verify billing accuracy and residency of animals listed on past invoices.
Next steps: Staff will continue negotiating with the humane society to find middle-ground contract language and will verify residency and billing records cited during the discussion.
