They Did It Again

The City Council of Grand Terrace voted to have San Bernardino take over the Animal Control Function for Grand Terrace. The problem is that the cost will be over $35,000.00 more than the prior contract and exceeds the budgeted amount for that service expense.

What is wrong with this picture. They are dipping into debt again. They made no effort to identify where the funds would come from. Walt should have asked and where are the additional funds coming from?

They could have told the staff No we will not contract with San Bernardino City. No we will not have that service at that cost. No is a possible answer that the City Council has seldom had the courage to provide the staff.

We have a couple of Animal related businesses in GT. Were they asked if they could provide all or part of the services being contracted for? Did they look into having one of the existing city employees trained to deal with road kill? Did they seek bids on portions of the service contracts?

How many animals are take not the Shelter each year?
How many road kills are cleaned up?
How many animals are injured treated and then Sheltered and eventually euthanized?
How many animals are injured and the owners pay the bills that the City Initiated the treatment?
How many total animals from GT are euthanized by the shelter?

How many neighbors gather up stray neighborhood dogs and find their owners? Can this system be encouraged more?
How many folk would take in a foster animal until permanent home can be found?

Is there some one willing to contract for say 10,000.00 to pick up GT Road Kill.

Is there a Vet in town that will treat licenced or chipped animals and euthanize others who are injured. for a reasonable fee?

The city won't know if alternatives exist because they were not explored. The community was not asked to address this problem in a community based way.

The City Council's solution was to toss more money at a contract. Even when there is no more money to toss.

The folks who run a city this way should be held to say where the money is coming from for every item or service they purchase.