The Commissionaires have given notice they are withdrawing from animal control services in the Boundary Region.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Mayor Everett Baker said "following our reviews and ongoing considerations for a new contract with the Commissionaires, we have reached a position where they have provided notice and will withdraw from animal services with the RDKB later in June."
This matter and the search for a new animal control services provider will be on the agenda for the next meeting with regional directors, added Baker.
This comes after Grand Forks City Council voted to go ahead with requesting an in-depth review of animal control services, including detailed accounting of the budget over concerns of misappropriation brought forth by a citizen advocate.
Pointed questions over animal control agreements between the city, The Commissionaires and RDKB were back before City Council for the May 26 Regular Council Meeting.
In an emotional address to City Council, Lara Patterson outlined her experiences with animal control officers.
“I am here to raise serious concerns about the state of animal control under the current contract and to urge City Council to reconsider how this service is being managed not only in terms of cost, but more importantly in terms of accountability and animal welfare in our community,” she said. “I would like to ask for a full service review of the current animal control operations be requested and amendments be made to the RDKB bylaw 1550.”
These concerns were first brought to City Council during the May 5 Council meeting after RDKB Deputy CAO and Operations General Manager James Chandler informed Council the regional governance was planning on renewing its contract with the Commissionaires. At the time, several councillors brought up concerns from residents and even their own experiences over what they said was poor service, lack of communication and pointed questions over animal welfare.
The current bylaw states that animal control is responsible for dog licenses, dogs at large, noisy dogs, vicious dogs, dogs in public places, damage to private property and impoundment of animals. The bylaw also states that the maintenance of the designated building, currently on Donaldson Drive, is also the responsibility of animal control. Patterson explained this building exists, but was told by the current contractor there is no place in Grand Forks to house stray animals picked up by officers.
She wanted to know if it's mismanagement, neglect or a lack of will to fulfill the bylaw.
Which brought her to financial concerns, as the stated previous budget was $149,000, but was told by one animal control officer he’s only paid $20,000 annually.
“That’s a significant discrepancy. Where did the rest of the money go?” Patterson asked. “If the money was allocated for a full suite of services, including shelter, transportation and paperwork follow-up and enforcement and those services weren’t delivered, we are not just talking about poor service, we could potentially be looking at a misappropriation of funds.”
With this in mind, Patterson said she is deeply troubled that not only could this contract with the Commissionaires be renewed, but increased by $30,000.
She recounted general concerns she’s heard from others about officers arriving to service calls unprepared, including no proper equipment, safety gear or crates, no paperwork, no follow-up, no records kept and no visible enforcement.
With plans to extend service to Midway, she wanted to know how that could be done when it appears service is lacking in the rest of the region.
All she is asking for is accountability while Council considers renewing the contract, reiterated Patterson, adding they please do their due diligence in reviewing all the details and costs and perform an audit of the past eight years of service by the Commissionaires.
She added that the Council please make animal welfare a core tenant.
Mayor Everett Baker explained this is a service the city shares with the RDKB and he had a meeting with the Commissionaires the previous week.
“It was a blunt conversation and this will come before the Boundary Services Committee and as chair, I hear your concerns clearly and with Council’s permission, I will bring your concerts to the Regional District,” he said.
A decision on Patterson’s requests for a service review, bylaw review and audit came later in the meeting, which garnered overwhelming support, with CAO Duncan Redfearn elaborating this will move through RDKB Area D-Rural Grand Forks Director Linda Kay Wiese to the Boundary Services Committee.
Patterson will also be speaking to the committee as a delegation.
During comments, several councillors voiced concerns of several aspects of the requests. Councillor David Mark said this isn’t just about forwarding Patterson’s concerns, but his own personal concerns over the service and general animal welfare.
An audit must be made mandatory, added Councillor Christine Thompson, adding it’s imperative they know where the money is being spent.
The whole of council voted in favour of requesting a service review, financial audit and bylaw review.
