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South Plainfield council weighs animal-control contract as provider seeks $20,000 raise
Summary
At the Dec. 8 council meeting, staff reported the borough's animal-control provider proposed raising its annual fee from $65,000 to $85,000 for 2026, with a tiered 2027 structure up to $125,000; council discussed shared-service options, a likely bid process and follow-up with neighboring Franklin Township.
Amy, the borough clerk, told the council that the borough's animal-control contract with the Planefield Area Humane Society expires Dec. 31, 2025 and that the provider's proposed contract would increase from $65,000 per year to $85,000 for 2026, with a tiered option in 2027 ranging between $85,000 and $125,000.
"Planefield Area Humane Society is our current provider at $65,000 per year. Their new contract is for 2026 for $85,000," Amy said, adding that the 2027 proposal would include a tier in which "if the pet intake is over 100 pets in the course of a month, then you're in tier two." The clerk presented the numbers and described the operational consequence that some potential contractors do not have their own holding facilities and would need third-party arrangements.
Why it matters: the increase would add recurring cost pressure to the borough budget and local officials said options are limited. Amy said staff checked shared-service possibilities and contacted nearby municipalities: Woodbridge and Edison told the borough they cannot expand animal-control services; Franklin Township had not responded to a final request. Staff also reviewed private contractors and found geographic coverage and facility limitations.
Council discussion centered on four options Amy outlined: 1) renew with the current provider at the higher rate; 2) pursue shared services with a neighboring municipality (pending responses); 3) go out to bid (Amy warned there appeared to be only one potential bidder that would serve the borough and that bidder lacks its own holding shelter); or 4) create an in-house program (which staff said would likely cost about the same or more). Amy said she had researched about 103 licensed facilities in New Jersey and most were out of the borough's service area.
Councilman Ventang asked for follow-up with Franklin Township. "Sounds good. And Councilman Ventang, if you could just work out... Franklin, that would be great," the chair said, directing follow-up. No formal vote or contract award occurred at the meeting; staff said they would continue outreach and report back.
The clerk recommended staff continue outreach to potential shared-service partners and return with a recommendation, noting that a bid could be wasteful if only one contractor responds and that third-party holding costs would be added to any contract. The council did not adopt an alternative at the meeting and deferred final direction pending responses from neighboring municipalities and further staff analysis.
Next steps: staff will continue to pursue responses from Franklin Township and other options and will report back to the council ahead of the contract renewal date.
