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Committee hears animal-control report; chair warns taxpayers shoulder part of $35,000 annual cost
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Summary
The committee reviewed March animal-control activity (2,165 calls; $2,165 billed for March) and discussed that a roughly $35,000 annual contract leaves taxpayers paying a portion of costs while owner fees do not fully reimburse the city.
The Kankakee City Building and Code Safety Committee on April 16 reviewed the director's animal-control report and discussed options to recoup costs from pet owners.
The chair presented March figures, saying the department recorded 2,165 related calls and a monthly bill of $2,165. The chair said the annual contract runs roughly $35,000 and cautioned that "taxpayers are still paying this money" when owners do not fully reimburse the city for pickup and storage fees.
Committee members described components of the cost including pickup, storage and additional care for animals that are not vaccinated, and noted that fees charged to owners at retrieval do not cover all expenses. One member said owners pay a fee when collecting a pet but the city still pays additional charges, and suggested the city needs a mechanism (ticketing or billing changes) to recoup more of those costs.
Members also noted the city has used ARPA dollars in recent years to cover some expenses but that those funds are temporary. The committee discussed options such as a clearer ticketing mechanism or ordinance language directing owners to reimburse the city for pickup and storage; no ordinance or new fee was adopted at the meeting.
The committee asked staff and legal to consider avenues to recoup costs ahead of future budgets; the director was not present to respond directly at the meeting.
