Agenda Item 8BAGENDA ITEM # 8B
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Commission request for report on Animal Control
DATE: February 3, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Michael D. Classey, Chief of Police
BACKGROUND:
Commissioner Daugherty requested staff prepare a report to the Commission on Atlantic
Beach Animal Control. Specifically, he requested the cost savings and effects of
eliminating one of the two Animal Control Officer (ACO) positions. Additionally, he
asked about outsourcing the kennel facilities.
The total annual cost savings by the reduction of salarylbenefits and operating expenses
would be $43,989.
The elimination of one ACO position would result in a significant cut in service level.
The officers patrol the city, investigate animal complaints, answer citizen questions,
provide information, catch and /or trap stray animals and maintain kennel services along
with many other related duties. The department dispatches more than 1,100 animal
complaint calls annually and the ACOs personally respond to approximately 2,500 phone
calls /messages per year.
Currently the ACOs work 10 hour shifts and are on duty 7 days a week. The first and
most obvious impact of reducing staff would be a 50% service reduction. There would be
times when animal control services are requested and there isn't an ACO on duty. The
ACOs have the necessary training and equipment to catch animals running at large and
handle other urgent matters such as responding to animal bite calls.
Staffing of only one ACO position would mean a dramatic cut back in the Officer's
patrol time. There are a number of reactive or fixed duties currently being split between
the two Officers which would all revert back to just a single person if a position were
eliminated. This would mean that the time available for proactive patrols would be
reduced to as low as 25% or less of the current level.
Staff would anticipate that compliance to the leash law would go down and, as a result,
there would be even more complaints of animals running at large. The city currently has a
compliance rate of over 90% on the beach. This has been achieved over time and through
consistent patrol, education and enforcement. A reduction of patrol time would be the
precursor to declining adherence to the animal controls statutes and ordinances on the
beach and throughout the city.
AGENDA ITEM # 8B
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
In addition to the reduction of coverage time, one service that would have to be cut back
with only one officer is trapping animals. The department receives many requests per
year to provide traps to residents and then to pick up the animals that are trapped. The
people would not be able to deploy the traps when an ACO was not on duty to take
custody of the trapped animal.
The subject of outsourcing the kennel facilities and having the animals boarded elsewhere
was also raised. The ACO's impound anywhere from 400 — 500 animals per year. None
of these animals have proof of rabies and other vaccinations at the time we collect them.
No boarding facility will accept an animal that does not have proof of shots. The cost of
the required shots is approximately $100. The cost per day to board the animal ranges
between $22 and $30.
Further, staff is required by city ordinance to keep the animals for a minimum of 3 days,
but not to exceed 7 days. However, quarantined animals are held for 10 days. The city
does charge a fee to the pet owner if the animal is claimed, but the majority of animals
are not. Figuring 400 animals at the minimum 3 days at $25 per day is $30,000 annually.
Staff would anticipate the actual costs to exceed that amount as that figure does
not include shots.
Operating a kennel requires that animals are cared for 7 days per week. The dogs need to
fed, watered and let out twice per day. Current staffing levels provide for that. The
elimination of one ACO would present a significant challenge on how to properly
manage the facility.
Atlantic Beach is very unique in that dogs are always allowed on the beach and they are
permitted to be off leash when in the ocean with their owner. Jacksonville Beach and
Neptune Beach only allows dogs after 5:00 and never to be off leash. Response to animal
incidents and patrols on the beach account for a significant portion of an ACO's time.
The benefit of having their dogs on the beach is something that the residents and visitors
have enjoyed very much, but it does require more resources to properly manage.
BUDGET: The expense for 2 Animal Control Officers is already included in the FY
2012 budget.
RECOMMENDATIONS: For Commission review and discussion.
ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: