City would save money, gain revenue under new animal-control plan

The Maricopa City Council took a another step toward an inter-governmental agreement with Casa Grande for animal control services last week when they instructed city staff to continue developing the plan, to save money and increase access to service.

“This is something I am in full support of,” said Councilman Carl Diedrich.

The decision to pursue options other than the contract with Pinal County for animal control services was put in motion by council several months ago due to escalating fees.

Since 2008 the amount the city has paid the county for animal control services ballooned from less than $50,000 a year to close to $80,000.

“These are significant cost increases,” said city Code Enforcement Officer Brian Duncan.

The task force formed by council looked three primary options; starting its own service, staying with Pinal County and contracting with Casa Grande.

The city starting its own operation was quickly ruled out and the task force narrowed in on Pinal County and Casa Grande.

While the cost of contracting with Casa Grande or Pinal County were essentially the same there were three items that separated the two possible agreements, customer service, ability to collect fees and an investment in infrastructure.

If the city enters into an agreement with Casa Grande they would be responsible for purchasing 14 dog kennels for $96,000, one cat kennel for $3,500 and computer software for $17,100.

The new kennels would be added onto Casa Grande’s existing animal control facility, and would remain the property of Casa Grande if the city ended the partnership, according to Duncan.

Duncan added that Casa Grande might be willing to spread the cost of the investment out over several years, during which time the city could work toward building a new facility in partnership with Casa Grande and the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Offsetting the capital cost with Casa Grande is the collection of fees.

Currently through its IGA with Pinal County the city of Maricopa is losing out on nearly $50,000 in licensing, fines and other fees associated with animal control, according to Duncan.

“These are very conservative numbers and we could see a much larger amount in fees brought in annually,” Duncan said. “This is money we would bring into the city through an IGA with Casa Grande.”

Other possible benefits of the agreement with Casa Grande are extended customer service hours, a shorter drive for residents to pick up their pets and more service coverage.

“The bottom line is the city is losing money,” said Councilman Alan Marchione.