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City, Paws Humane present proposed CACC management agreement; council to revisit in January
Summary
City staff presented a negotiated management agreement to transfer Columbus Animal Care & Control operations to Paws Humane Society, including a proposed annual contract budget of about $3.29 million and a target transfer date no later than Feb. 1, 2025; council scheduled a public meeting and will return Jan. 7 with an updated agreement.
City staff presented a negotiated management agreement that would transfer operations of the Columbus Animal Care and Control Center (CACC) to Paws Humane Society, outlining services to transfer, proposed staffing changes, a recommended annual management budget and next steps.
The city described the proposed contract as a three-year agreement with a two-year extension option. Under the proposed terms, city-owned buildings, equipment and many program services would transfer; city CACC employees would be offered employment with Paws but could apply for other city positions if they did not move to Paws. Staff said the negotiated budget in the draft agreement totals about $3,292,536 annually, compared to current city CACC budget lines the presentation listed as personnel $1,300,000, animal care $562,000 and operations $208,000. Staff also said the Paws operating budget includes additional services such as in-house veterinary, spay/neuter and expanded operations.
City staff told council the city has received Paws' financial statements and passed them to finance for review; the manager's office said it will hold a public meeting on Dec. 30 and return to council on Jan. 7 with a revised management agreement for possible approval. Staff said the target for completing a transfer, if council approves, would be no later than Feb. 1, 2025.
Council members asked detailed questions about employee placement, continuity of services, and how many positions Paws would employ (staff said the draft moves from 26 city positions to 31 positions under Paws). Staff said employees interested in remaining with the city would be offered placement in public works or could apply elsewhere; staff also outlined procurement and reimbursement timing if the city approves the contract.
What happens next: A public meeting and financial review are scheduled before council reconvenes on Jan. 7; council will consider the updated management agreement and any recommended conditions before any formal transfer is authorized.
