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County animal-services study would add staff and raise sheltering costs; city to review packet and potential study session requested
Summary
City staff reported Riverside County presented two cost-recovery options for animal services that would add roughly 38 positions systemwide and phase in a contract increase; staff reported sheltering costs rose sharply year-to-date and council suggested a separate study session once county detail is provided.
City Manager Richard Cannone briefed council on a Riverside County animal-services rate study that the city had not yet received in full. Cannone said county staff presented two cost-recovery options: Option A at about $331,000 and Option B at about $257,000 (staff characterized both as moving toward full cost recovery). The county proposed a phased implementation—50% first year, 75% second year, 100% third year—with an approximate January 1 start date for the new contract.
Cannone told council the county study also recommended adding roughly 38 staff across the Coachella Valley animal-services system; staff will seek particulars on which shelters and positions would be affected. The city’s sheltering expenses have risen substantially: staff said sheltering costs for the current fiscal year through February are about $110,004.69 compared with roughly $53,000 for the prior fiscal year, and staff asked for time to verify why costs have jumped.
Council members recommended the matter be treated as a separate study session topic once the county packet is available and urged concise, focused questions in the meantime. There was no action taken at the study session.
