[Editor’s Note: After watching City Council members debate a disputed amount of progress in the hiring of an animal services officer during Monday’s meeting, Mr. Netzel sent the following letter to the five Council members.]
I have been watching the meeting this evening and had a concern that all costs have not been clearly identified to operate an in-house Animal Control Officer program. I also haven’t seen a report as to the revenue projections anticipated with the implementation of an Animal Control Officer.
I’m not making a judgment for or against the program, but I do want to ensure it has been well thought out. At this point it sure seems there is quite a bit of analysis required before moving forward.
In addition to the proposed salary of $42,012 – $51,226 annually, what are the additional costs to the city for operating this program?
I have no experience with what it takes to run an in-house animal control program, but here is a quick list of additional costs/items that would need to be factored in:
Other Costs:
- Workers Compensation (if injured do we have a backup?)
- Health insurance
- New vehicle/truck and license
Veterinary- Vacation
- Sick leave
- CALPERS/Retirement
- Transportation (Gas)
- Court time (substitute officer in the field while regular officer is in court or do we rely on the County during this time?)
- Officer on duty in the evenings and on weekends or do we rely on the County?
- Cages/storage
- Tranquilizers
- Tranquilizer gun
- Uniform
- Animal storage facility (until transported)
- Utilities for animal storage facility (telephone, water, lights, security system)
- Portable radio for communication while officer is in the field.
- Is transport of animals during regular business hours or overtime?
- Attorney/lawsuits for complaints against officer and/or treatment of recovered animals.
- Police department staff time that would otherwise be utilized for protecting and serving the public.
- Training/education
- Food for animals
- Class C driver’s license (training?)
- Educate the public (will require overtime and interpretive materials)
- Record maintenance will require file cabinets, desk, computer and more.
- Cleaning supplies for animal cages.
- First aid treatment and supplies for animals.
