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Weatherford council approves new interlocal agreement with Parker County for animal-shelter fees
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to enter an updated interlocal agreement with Parker County that ties the county's annual payment to prior-year animal intake, includes a three-year step-up to a higher fee schedule and is intended to fund shelter renovations and two new shelter positions.
The Weatherford City Council on Aug. 26 authorized the city manager to enter an updated interlocal agreement (ILA) with Parker County that changes how the county pays for animal-sheltering services.
"Parker County pays us $729,000 a year for animal sheltering services," City staffer Eric Schumer said, noting the county accounts for about 70% of the shelter’s intake. Under the proposed ILA the county’s annual fee will be calculated based on the number of animals it brought in during the prior year; that amount will be trued up annually and phased in under a three-year step-up schedule so the county has time to adjust to the higher level.
Schumer told council staff estimates show the county’s payment would rise to about $856,000 next year under the new calculation; the presentation said the first year would be set at roughly an 80% step-up amount with higher percentages in subsequent years. Council members asked how the additional revenue would be used; staff and Finance noted the FY26 budget includes two new shelter positions (an animal-control officer and an animal-care technician) and that capital improvements underway—kennel replacement and other shelter renovations—would be offset in part by the contract changes.
Council members praised the collaborative approach and, after questions about communication with Parker County and how the additional funds would be allocated, voted to approve the manager’s authority to execute the updated ILA.
Next steps: the city will finalize the ILA with Parker County and implement the stepped fee schedule; staff indicated the revenue will help offset current capital spending and personnel costs at the shelter.
