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Resident urges council to fund mobile spay-and-neuter during Bakersfield budget conversations
Summary
During a city budget workshop, a resident urged officials to invest in mobile spay-and-neuter services now to limit future shelter and animal-control costs, and staff responded that the proposal is one of several discretionary items the council may consider as it finalizes the budget.
A resident told Bakersfield officials at a budget workshop that the city should invest in mobile spay-and-neuter services to reduce future shelter costs and animal-control burdens.
"We could invest in mobile spay and neuter right now, and we won't have to go down that road of you guys having to get more employees," the resident said, urging targeted neighborhood outreach and education alongside the service.
Finance Director Randy McKegan and Assistant City Manager Gary Hallen responded that mobile spay-and-neuter is among discretionary programs the council can choose to fund. McKegan said council will review a menu of discretionary options as part of its upcoming budget deliberations and that final decisions will be made in May and June sessions.
Why it matters: The resident framed mobile spay-and-neuter as a preventative, cost-saving approach for animal control and shelter operations; city staff said discretionary funds and council priorities will determine whether the program receives funding.
What’s next: Officials said results from the workshop’s interactive poll and an online survey will be compiled and provided to council as it considers discretionary allocations.
