Editorial: Combining animal shelters makes sense

Measure 1 deserves a full measure of public support despite the confusion created by the number of moving parts.

Moving part No. 1 is location.

The proposal would consolidate animal control services for Spokane County and most incorporated cities at a single facility located at Havana Street and Broadway Avenue, on the border between the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley. Now, the major providers of animal control and pet adoption services could hardly be farther apart; the existing Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services shelter is on Flora Road, behind the industrial park in Spokane Valley, SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. is based on North Napa Street, just off Trent Avenue in Spokane, and the Spokane Humane Society calls a facility north of Hillyard home.

If you are looking for a lost dog, you could get lost yourself.

A single location would eliminate multiple treks. And the Havana location sits on a bus route.

SCRAPS’ existing shelter cannot be expanded because it is hemmed in by a gravel pit and rail line. The building has no access to a sewer line, so its 70 staff members and volunteers use two bathrooms.

Moving to a common shelter would definitely be a good move.

Moving part No. 2 is financing, which Measure 1 addresses. If approved, a levy of up to 5.8 cents per $1,000 of assessed 2012 valuation would be imposed, raising as much as $15 million. Supporters say $10 million might be a more accurate assessment of the tax funds that will be required, given a pledge by the city of Spokane to sell the county a truck terminal on the Havana/Broadway property that could be converted to a shelter.

But the county has an option to buy an adjacent property with buildings more suitable for conversion to a shelter, which would allow the terminal tenants and their 100 employees to remain in place, with rent helping to cover debt service.

That revenue, plus charitable contributions and fees from licensing and services like spaying and neutering, could drop the cost for the owner of an average home to about 83 cents per month.

Moving part No. 3 is the on-again, off-again willingness of Spokane Valley officials to participate, and SpokAnimal to continue providing animal control services after organization officials had said they wanted out of that business.

The hitch for the Spokane Valley City Council is the suspicion they will end up subsidizing animal control in the city of Spokane despite a pledge by Mayor Mary Verner that will not happen, and potential savings for Valley taxpayers of more than $100,000 annually if Spokane throws in with the county and the other cities.

Meanwhile, SpokAnimal has come up with an offer to continue service to the city for 10 years at $540,000 per year, with the organization retaining all fees.

Spokane County cities and unincorporated areas get good animal control and placement services thanks to the dedication of paid and volunteer workers. But they, the animals, their owners and taxpayers would be better served by a single central resource center.

Vote yes on Measure 1.