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Sheriff's office may resume animal control; city flags kennel costs and minimal licensing revenue
Summary
Yamhill police chief said talks are underway with the county sheriff to resume animal-control services; the chief reported licensing receipts of about $300 year-to-date, a general-fund licensing budget of $515, and kennel costs of roughly $3,000 per month.
The Yamhill police chief told the council on March 11 that conversations are underway with the county sheriff’s office about returning animal-control services to the sheriff, a step city staff say would reduce local costs and operational burden.
Police Chief Graven (referenced in a staff letter and speaking at the meeting) told council that licensing revenue to date for the fiscal year is “a little over $300,” while the city’s budgeted amount for licensing is $515. The chief said private kenneling costs can be about $3,000 per month under the city’s current arrangement, a recurring cost the city struggles to cover in a small general fund.
The chief described prior arrangements with the sheriff’s office (which handled animal control through about 2015–16) and said the sheriff’s office executive board and local chiefs are supportive of returning the program. The chief said the sheriff’s office would assume duties such as responding to calls, kenneling animals, and handling associated fees, and that licensing revenue would be funneled to the sheriff to help sustain the program.
Councilors expressed support for exploring the option; no final decision was recorded. The chief noted that informal community assistance—residents locating lost animals via social media and use of a microchip reader—has helped reduce some immediate costs while the city considers returning animal-control duties to the county.
