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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - July 5, 2006 E-08AGENDA ITEM n A CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Adopt resolution authorizing fee adjustments for various Animal Shelter Services and Approve a Shelter Spay/Neuter Voucher Program MEETING DATE: July 5, 2006 PREPARED BY: Jerry J. Adams, Chief of Police RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the Lodi City Council adopt a resolution approving changes and adjustments to fees as presented in the attached staff report and to authorize the implementation of a Spay/Neuter Voucher Program. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The current fee structure of the Lodi Police Department Animal Services has been in place since 2003. Periodic review and analysis of fees is necessary in order to ensure fees are consistent with other agencies performing similar services. Additionally, cost recovery fees should be consistent with the cost of providing the service. With continuing budgetary constraints, as well as increased overhead costs, it is recommended that Council adjust fees as owned in the attached staff report. The Shelter impounds three times the amount of unaltered vs. altered animals. A low cost spay/muter voucher program for low income residents will help address the pet population problem in the City of Lodi to reduce the birth rate of unwanted puppies and kittens, ultimately decreasing the euthanasia rate. Animal Service Officers will oversee the spay/neuter voucher program which will target large dogs, pit bulls/ pit bull mixes, and cats. Vouchers will be issued to Lodi residents based on income (under $35,000 a year) and special circumstances. Vouchers will be offered at a cost of $10 for cats and $20 for large dogs to qualified residents. The City Animal Shelter Voucher Program will provide spay/neuter opportunities for pet owners without duplicating programs already offered by PALS (for seniors) and Lodi Cat Connection (feral cats). The additional cost for the spay/neuter of animals will be paid from the General Fund Account 100.2302 (Animal Pound Deposits). This account is mandated for uses in supporting spay/neuter programs in the City of Lodi. There is approximately $10,000 in this account; staff recommends that, initially, $5,000 be designated for the voucher program, and as additional funds are collected from fines and fees these funds be used to continue support of the voucher program. APPROVED: Blair King, Ci anager Adopt resolution authorizing fee adjustments for various Animal Shelter Services and Approve a Shelter Spey/Neuter Voucher Program July 5, 2006 Page Two FISCAL IMPACT: No additional operational costs are anticipated. Staff estimates a minimum of $30,000 in additional revenue to the City of Lodi based on the adjustments and changes to fees. Revenue is expected to increase as more animals in the community are identified as pets and are properly licensed. FUNDING AVAILABLE: The spay/neuter voucher program funds will be taken from the General Fund Account 100. 2302. This account receives funding from fines and fees relating to unaltered animals and is mandated by law to be used for spay/neuter programs. The voucher program will continue as funds become available in this account. Jerry/J. Adams (�jL Chief of Police cc: City Attorney Animal Shelter Fee Proposal Current Proposed Explanation Licensing Unaltered dogs/cats $ 20.00 $ 50.00 The Shelter impounds 3 times the amount of unaltered vs. altered animals. The in license fees for unaltered animals will discourage irresponsible breeding and encourage spay/neutering of animals. Altered dogs/cats $ 6.00 $10.00 Increase pet licensing fees to cover cost of processing and tracking information. This fee is in line with other local agencies. Unlicensed Animals $ 20.00 $ 50.00 Expired License 20% (per mo) $50.00 Boarding Dogs- per day $ 8.00 $ 10.00 Cats -per day $ 6.00 $ 10.00 Disposal Fee Dog & Cats $ 25.00 $ 50.00 Impound/Field Call Fee Encourage City of Lodi animal owners to license pets. This fee would be imposed when staff issues a notice to comply for an unlicensed animal. Encourage animal owners to renew pet licenses on time. Supplemental Information on Pet Licensing - City of Lodi licensed pets for fiscal year 2004-2005 total is 2,553. The National Average shows 36.1% of households have dogs and 31/6% has cats. Based on the National Average it is estimated that there are over 40,000 pets in the City of Lodi with only 15.6% of the pets licensed. Cover cost of cleaning, feeding and medical services for animals housed in the shelter Cost of impound fees for animals that are released by the owner for adoption or disposal. Dogs & Cats $30.00 $ 50.00 Fee charged when staff responds to a field call to pick up a loose dog or cat in a trap 2nd call $60.00 $100.00 Staff repeatedly impounds the same animals running loose. This would help recover costs 3rd call $120.00 $200.00 related to this service and encourage responsible pet ownership. 4t" call $240.00 $400.00 Spay/Neuter Deposits Dogs- $ 50.00 $ 75.00 Dollar figure allowed Per Food and Agricultural code 30503(b) Cats- $ 40.00 $ 75.00 Dollar figure allowed Per Food and Agricultural code 31751.3 Comparisons of Animal Shelter Fees Lodi SJ County Sac County Tracy Stanislaus Co. Lodi Current Proposed Licensing -Unaltered $ 20.00 $ 12.00 $ 30.00 $12.00 $ 100.00 $ 50.00 Licensing -Altered $ 6.00 $ 6.00 $ 10.00 $ 4.00 $ 12.00 $ 10.00 Boarding -Dogs/ per day $ 8.00 $ 4.50 $ 8.00 $ 3.00 $ 8.00 $ 10.00 Boarding -Cats/ per day $ 6.00 $ 3.50 $ 8.00 $ 3.00 $ 8.00 $ 10.00 Disposal Fee $ 25.00 $ 45.00 $ 40.00 $ 20.00 $ 45.00 $ 50.00 Field Call $ 25.00 $ 45.00 $ 40.00 $ 20.00 $ 45.00 $ 50.00 Spay/Neuter Deposit Dogs $ 50.00 $ 40.00 Surgery Fee Surgery fee Surgery Fee $ 75.00 Spay/Neuter Deposit Cats $ 40.00 $ 30.00 Surgery Fee Surgery Fee Surgery Fee $ 75.00 Fee Increase Projections for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 (Based On Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Information) Proposed Increase of: Projected Revenue Increase: Licensing Dogs Unaltered 428 $ 30.00 per $ 12,840.00 Altered 1,640 $ 4.00 per $ 6,560.00 Cats Unaltered 5 $ 30.00 per $ 150.00 Altered 480 $ 4.00 per $ 1,920.00 Unlicensed Fee Not Available $ 30.00 $ Unknown Boarding Dogs Redeemed 335 $ 2.00 per day $ 1,340.00 (based on # days held) Cats Redeemed 39 $ 4.00 per day $ 468.00 (based on # days held) Disposal Fee 220 $ 25.00 $ 5,500.00 Field Call Fee None $ 50.00 $ 1,300.00 (based on field calls for 2005) Total Projected Revenue Increase $ 30,078.00 RESOLUTION NO. 2006-129 s A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL APPROVING FEE INCREASES FOR VARIOUS ANIMAL SHELTER SERVES, AND FURTHER APPROVING A SHELTER SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHER PROGRAM ------ --_________----- BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LODI AS FC LOWS: . WHEREAS, the Lodi Municipal Code requires the City Council, by R44oliation, to set fees for various services provided by the City of Lodi to recover those coos mated with providing specific services and programs; and WHEREAS, staff recommends increasing fees for various Animal Shelter services as shown on the attach4d schedule marked Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, staff further recommends the implementation of a Spay/Neuter Voacher Program for low-income residents, which will help address the pet population, reducing the birth rate of puppies and kittens and ultimately decreasing the euthanasia rale of unwanted animals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lodi does hereby implemert the fee schedules as shown on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part of this Resolution. SWdTIO &. AN resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are repealed h0far as such conflict may exist. S T . This resolution shall be published one time in the "Lodi News -Sentinel," a dWiper of ger*ral circulation printed and published in the City of Lodi, and shall be in force and take effect February 1, 2007. DMed: July 5, 2006 - ___--- _--------- =========__-----_- _-__---__----_---- I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2006-129 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held July 5, 2006, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - Beckman, Hansen, Johnson, and Mayor Hitchcock NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - Mounce ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS - None ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS - None N"IF E . PERRIN ity Clerk 2006-129 Animal Shelter Fee Proposal EXHIBIT Al Current Proposed Exolanation Licensing Unaltered dogs/cats $ 20.00 $ 50.00 The Shelter impounds 3 times the amount of unaltered vs. altered animals. The in license fees for unaltered animals will discourage irresponsible breeding and encourage spay/neutering of animals. Altered dogs/cats $ 6.00 $10.00 Increase pet licensing fees to cover cost of processing and tracking information. This fee is in line with other local agencies. Unlicensed Animals $ 20.00 $ 50.00 Expired License 20% (per mo) $50.00 Boarding Dogs- per day Cats -per day Disposal Fee Dog & Cats $ 8.00 $ 10.00 $ 6.00 $ 10.00 $ 25.00 $ 50.00 Impound/Field Call Fee Dogs & Cats $30.00 2"d call $60.00 3`d call $120.00 0' call $240.00 Spay/Neuter Deposits Dogs- $ 50.00 Cats- $ 40.00 Encourage City of Lodi animal owners to license pets. This fee would be imposed when staff issues a notice to comply for an unlicensed animal. Encourage animal owners to renew pet licenses on time. Suaalemental Inform,ionon Pal Lic2njing - City of Lodi licensed pets for fiscal year a _ 2004-2005 total is 2,553. The National Average shows 36.1 % of households have dogs and 3118% has cats. Based on the National Average it is estimated that there are over 40,000 pets in the City of Lodi with only 15.6% of the pets licensed. Cover cost of cleaning, feeding and medical services for animals housed in the shelter Cost of impound fees for animals that are released by the owner for adoption or disposal. $ 50.00 Fee charged when staff responds to a field call to pick up a loose dog or cat in a trap $100.00 Staff repeatedly impounds the same animals running loose. This would help recover costs $200.00 related to this service and encourage responsible pet ownership. $400.00 $ 75.00 Dollar figure allowed Per Food and Agricultural code 30503{b} $ 75.00 Dollar figure allowed. Per Food and Agricultural code 31751.3