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Service Solicited - 2019 - Idaho Humane Society - Animal Control Extend Contract Through 12/31/2019 /,2.--/o - /14 =A5 c PI° rolled 1-0 e dgrid denim` ua i1&'f 6/5 046exkii4 /74i Hee '7''YI!/'tt-- PattyCutler Executive Director, Simply Cats Adoption Center Eagle resident Mayor and Eagle City Council City of Eagle 660 E Civic Lane Eagle, ID 83616 December 5, 2019 Dear Mayor and Eagle City Council: In August 2019, an Animal Control Committee was formed to discuss the city's renewal of the Idaho Humane Society's (IHS) animal control contract (October 1, 2019). The annual renewal would mean a doubling of the cost to the city of Eagle, with no increase in animal control service levels. The committee was assembled to research and review options and costs if the IHS contract was not renewed. The committee has held regular meetings, completed facility tours of the Garden City kennel facility, Idaho Humane Society, West Vet and SNIP (Spay-Neuter Idaho Pets). In addition, the committee has gathered projected financial costs involved in establishing the city's own Animal Control Officer, working with the Ada County Sheriff's Office. The Animal Control Committee consists of Eagle residents, city officials and local animal welfare organizations (a list of individuals has been included). Animal Control is important because it includes enforcement of licensing laws and other regulations relating to animals. Animal Control Officers investigate mistreated animals and control those that are deemed dangerous, abandoned or lost. They also educate the public regarding solutions to animal related concerns. The IHS contract has currently been renewed through December 31, 2019. At this time, the committee's recommendations are: 1. To extend IHS contract another quarter (through March 31, 2020), provided that improvement in service levels is shown through data provided by IHS. The city will continue to consider quarterly renewals through the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2020). This will: o provide the committee additional time to do their due diligence o allow the city to be prepared to move forward next fiscal year with a new plan (to save money, increase service and put the animal welfare at the forefront) o allow time for the City and Ada County Sheriff's Office time to structure an appropriate animal control position, advertise and hire o give the committee time to construct a formal plan for moving forward o Give both the City and Ada County Sheriff's Office time for budget preparation for next fiscal year 2. To allow the current Committee to continue. This will: o provide time to gather information on cooperative organizations o determine financial costs o structure agreements o work out any logistics issues Thank you for your consideration of our recommendations. Sir�c rely, j (,i,7 1,3 , (1.,z Z.le._, Signature Patty Cutler Executive Director, Simply Cats Adoption Center Committee members: Tom Brengle Matt Clifford Linda Conn Patty Cutler Jayne Dowdy Julie Palo George Lisa Kauffman Dawn Lea Jill Mitchell Scout O'Gara Stan Ridgeway Therese Smith Emily Sullivan Kim Wingate Matt Woodington Teresa Yragui