Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dog, Cat License Increases Among Council Items Tonight

From Staff And Wire Reports

That “free” pet-sterilization program approved by Spokane voters last fall comes with a cost.

At tonight’s meeting, the City Council plans to raise the annual price of dog and cat licenses by $2.50 to pay for the program that aims to neuter and spay the city’s house pets.

Voters gave their overwhelming support to the November ballot initiative that dedicates one-tenth of 1 percent of the general fund to the program. That’s $97,450 of this year’s spending plan.

City Manager Roger Crum said at the time the city’s tight budget didn’t have money to pay for the program.

“This came at a bad time,” said Molly Myers of the city’s new Neighborhood Services Offices.

A committee led by Myers devised the fee schedule, which calls for setting aside $3 from each license fee for the program.

The owner of a dog that isn’t neutered or spayed would pay $23 for a license, up from $20.50. The owner of an unfixed cat would pay $13, up from $10.50.

Owners of sterilized dogs would pay $12, up from $9.50. Owners of cats would pay $7.50, up from $5.

The measure contains no specifics about who is eligible for the program and who will do the spaying and neutering.

“There’s nothing stipulated regarding need,” said Myers. “It’s first come, first served.”

While council members didn’t vote on the proposed fee change, plans to raise the cost of licenses were included in the budget passed in December.

Also tonight, the council plans to set levy assessments for the downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area

The assessments will contribute about $672,000 to the PBIA’s $818,000 budget for this year. The plan’s officials say the money will be used to make downtown safer, and more attractive and accessible.

A briefing for residents begins at 3 p.m. in the lower-level conference room of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. The council’s briefing starts at 3:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 6 p.m.

, DataTimes