Private service?

A little more than a year after the Chico Police Department took over operations of the local animal shelter from the Butte Humane Society, the shelter is on the list of government services that could be contracted back out to a private entity, such as the Butte Humane Society.

The city’s takeover called for seven full-time and four part-time city employees to join three people who already worked in Animal Control, which was already operated by the Police Department. The contracts for the new positions were limited to two years to allow the city to let people go if it turned out they weren’t needed.

The plan created a new service branch under the supervision of Capt. Lori McPhail, headed by Animal Services Manager Tracy Mohr, to oversee a registered veterinary technician, an Animal Control supervisor, two Animal Control officers, an animal-care technician and four animal-care attendants.

Savings would be realized through the use of volunteers, former Police Chief Mike Maloney told the Chico City Council at the time. The plan moved forward, with conservative Councilmembers Bob Evans and Mark Sorensen voting against it.

The takeover was designed to save the city money and improve conditions at the shelter. Improvements have been made, including a new 38-run kennel facility for dogs. The shelter no longer accepts surrendered or healthy stray cats, thus lowering the rate of euthanasia. The Butte Humane Society carries out animal-adoption services.

The Police Department had estimated that through the first five months the city would save $127,490 by not funding BHS $102,490, combined with $25,000 projected revenue from impound fees and spay-and-neuter fees minus the cost of food and care. As it turned out, initially running the shelter cost the city about $134,000 more than if the change in operations had not been made.

But the council was told it was a learning process and was asked for patience while adjustments were made.

Last week, a notice was circulated among shelter workers and public supporters warning of the possible takeover.

“The city manager is looking to contract out sheltering services as a cost-saving measure,” the notice says. “If you think the City of Chico is doing a good job running the animal shelter, and feel that going back to the way it was run before is not in the best interests of the community or its animals, please contact the city manager AS WELL AS City Council. Write, email or fax, but do it NOW! Be polite, keep it short, and if you have a specific incident, please feel free to share that. Specifically tell them why you would like the City to continue to run the shelter, even if it costs a little more than contracting out. Facts are better than emotions, but do tell them how you feel.”

Mohr, the shelter’s animal-services manager, said she realizes City Manager Brian Nakamura is examining every city department’s budget in these tight fiscal times and is not surprised shelter operations are on the radar.

“They’ve been asking us information about our budget,” she said. “So I imagine that is something they are looking into.”

Nakamura, she pointed out, was brought in to cut the budget.

“He was hired to come in and cut where he could, and I’m sure that’s probably something that he is looking at and saying, ‘Well, would it be cheaper?’ Obviously that shouldn’t be the only factor. But beyond that, I really don’t know what is happening.”

For his part, Nakamura said the shelter is one of a number of services that could be contracted out by the city.

“We are looking at all options right now based on our most recent budget workshop and the adoption of the budget,” he said. “We still have a significant ways to go, and so given the direction of the council, we are looking at all our opportunities, and one of those may be working with either Butte Humane Society or another entity to assist us with animal-control services.”

He said at this point it’s nothing more than a “preliminary exploration.”

“I know this is a politically sensitive issue and, trust me, our goal is not to create problems for animals, or for individuals who have animals or are looking to adopt animals or find a location to drop their animal off,” he said. “But given the fiscal situation, we have to look at partnerships.”