Clackamas County directs staff to seek city shelter fees to add two shelter workers

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 directed staff to begin negotiating with area cities to charge a fee for use of the county dog shelter, with the proceeds earmarked to add two full‑time animal‑care workers.

Presenting to the board, Dan Johnson, Director of Transportation and Development, and Assistant Director Mike Bessner outlined three principal revenue approaches: tightening and modestly increasing license fees (changes adopted July 1), stepping up enforcement to boost compliance and revenue, and asking cities to contribute for shelter use. Bessner said the county’s stepped‑up enforcement has raised licensing about 20% and emphasized the public‑health benefit of proof of rabies vaccination.

Commissioners debated targeted discounts, collection mechanisms and enforcement. Commissioner West asked whether clinics already report rabies vaccinations; staff pointed to the county code requiring veterinarians to report those vaccinations and said enforcement has improved after compliance visits to problem clinics.

Commissioner Diana Helm moved to direct staff to negotiate with cities to charge a fee for use of the county dog shelter to fund two full‑time shelter workers; Commissioner Schroeder seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 5–0.

The board did not set a timeline for a final intergovernmental agreement; staff will return with negotiation plans and estimated revenue and budget impacts. County officials said the proposal is meant to reduce shelter strain, improve intake capacity and reduce instances where the county must turn animals away when staff are stretched thin.

At the meeting, Assistant Director Mike Bessner said, “Our licensing is up about 20%,” citing recent enforcement and outreach as contributing factors.