Spokane7
65°
February 26, 2011 in City
Spokane council split on joining county animal control
Spokane is not ready to sign off on a proposal for a regional animal-control shelter, City Council President Joe Shogan said Friday at a meeting of local governments.
Shogan said the council is divided on whether to stick with Mayor Mary Verner’s plan to contract with the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service or try to renew the city’s contract with SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.
SpokAnimal gave notice it wanted to get out of the animal-control business, but Executive Director Gail Mackie said the organization is willing to extend its contract.
Shogan said he thinks a regional task force, which includes Spokane, did an “excellent job” of crafting a proposal to turn a city-owned warehouse into a new SCRAPS shelter.
However, Shogan said, “We need more time among ourselves to come to a conclusion.”
He suggested aiming for a ballot measure in the fall of 2012, after competing measures such as a new county jail and a possible Spokane library levy are resolved.
Officials say the project could be paid for with a nine-year increase of 4 to 5 cents in Spokane County’s property tax rate. The cost would be $8 to $10 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home.
Unlike a bond measure, a lid lift would require only a simple majority. But Spokane residents would have no incentive to vote for it if the city doesn’t contract with SCRAPS.
Mielke called for Spokane and cities that contract with SCRAPS to tell commissioners whether they like the task force plan to establish a new shelter in a warehouse at 1001 N. Havana St.
Spokane acquired the property as part of a project to build a Havana Street railroad overpass. State and federal agencies paid 85 percent of the $2.7 million cost and expect reimbursement for any residual value.
SCRAPS director Nancy Hill says the building’s size, configuration and location – across from the county fairgrounds – are ideal for a shelter. Also, the building could be acquired and converted for an estimated $10 million, compared with $15 million for new construction.
Mielke and Hill said the current SCRAPS shelter at 2521 N. Flora Road is overcrowded and needs to be replaced even if Spokane doesn’t contract with the county.
Recent stories by John Craig
County districts nearly equal in population after latest adjustment December 27, 2011 1- Prosecutor defends decision-making December 14, 2011 44
- Man ignites fuel tank with torch, burns house December 11, 2011 9
- Fire forces temporary shelter evacuation December 11, 2011
- Murder trial delayed months while judge, prosecutor feud December 11, 2011 8
DickAdams on February 26 at 8:48 a.m.
Leave it to Mr. big mouth Shogan to talk about sticking the taxpayers with a more money ballot. I can`t imagine an attorney like Shogan earning a living as a lawyer. Well maybe as a ambulance chaser.
misjustice on February 26 at 9:12 a.m.
****Officials say the project could be paid for with a nine-year increase of 4 to 5 cents in Spokane County’s property tax rate. The cost would be $8 to $10 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home******
I don’t have pets for a reason! Why should I have to continue to pay for someone else’s pets? Another comment of, “The cost would be only $8-$10 a year for the owner in property taxes.”
These ONLY costs are getting out of control!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DickAdams on February 26 at 11:28 a.m.
Will the people who support Shogan, please stand up?
MaoTenDoo on February 26 at 1:36 p.m.
Gramma, I don’t have kids and yet have to pay for Spokane schools. These are all public services that are required for, and therefore paid by, the community.
EvilSpock on February 26 at 2:37 p.m.
Agreed MaoTenDoo. I don’t have any kids either and I also have to pay for Spokane schools. Disclosure demands that I say that I do have pets and do pay for licenses for each every year.
Gramma, if we had to pay for only the services that would apply to us I think that there would be very little services offered to anybody at a reasonable price or done effectively. Sadly it all comes on the backs of us homeowners because the politi-crooks see us as an unlimited source of funds.
We all have to contribute to these “public services” whether we like it or not; be it education, animal control (in this particular case), or street maintenance. It’s all part of living in a civilized society.