While it is still unclear what animal control will look like in Burien it is known those services will not be coming from King County.

King County, who last year had said they were getting out of the animal control business, has offered cities an opportunity to continue to contract with the County after the contracts expire in June.

Burien has not adopted a plan for animal control, which City Manager Mike Martin informed the Council is a discretionary service. The City is not required by law to offer animal shelter options or animal control. But the Council did agree they wanted to pursue other options for animal control. They passed a resolution instructing Martin to write a letter to the County informing them of the City’s plan to look elsewhere for animal control services.

Martin said he strongly suggested the Council cut ties with the County. He said, since they had no alternative plan ready the City was taking a risk, but in his mind it was a reasonable risk to take.

King County originally asked cities interested in contracting with them for animal control to give them a letter of intent by April 30th. This deadline was extended to May 5.

The King County plan would offer reduced services and ask the cities to pay for the difference. Pet licenses are supposed to fund the County animal control services, but the program has been averaging a $2 million deficit annually. The County is giving cities the option to contract for services through them, paying any additional fees not covered by licensing revenue from pet owners in that city.

King County would be divided into four separate regions, and each region would have a dedicated animal control officer five days a week, eight hours a day. Burien would have been in a district including Kent, SeaTac, Tukwilla and portions of unincorporated King County, including White Center and Vashon Island.

Burien raises approximately $119,000 in pet licenses annually. The total estimated cost to Burien to contract with the County would be $247,767 in 2011. Leaving $128,767 that Burien would have to find a way to pay for out of the general fund.

4,468 pet licenses were issued to Burien residents in 2009, approximately 20 percent of Burien’s pet population.

The resolution passed 6-1, with Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak voting against. “I believe those costs are reasonable for those services,” Krakowiak said.

Disagreeing, Councilmember Gordon Shaw said for the service they would be getting it was just far too much money. Shaw also said he did not appreciate King County forcing them to make a fast decision.

“I’m not happy with the County coming down and giving us an ultimatum,” said Shaw.
Deputy Mayor Rose Clark agreed with Shaw, saying the process on the part of the County has been very poor.

Councilmember Jack Block Jr. said he looks at this as an opportunity to improve animal control in Burien, by bringing it in house. “We have a real opportunity to offer a better service,” Block said.