By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
November 16, 2011

Kansas City’s animal shelter has become a highly debated topic, but on Nov. 3, the City Council reached a resolution.

City Council members approved a contract for a new animal shelter operator and an ordinance to dedicate pet licensing fee revenue solely to animal control and animal shelter operations.

Kansas City’s woes with the animal shelter began nine months ago when it received complaints about the city-hired shelter operator. A malpractice complaint was filed through the Missouri Veterinarian Board. As a result, Kansas City opted to not renew the contract and the search for a new operator began.

Adding to the dilemma was an aging building in desperate need of upgrades and the failure of Kansas Citians to license their pets with the city.

Only 10 percent of Kansas City’s dog and cat owners have licensed their pets, which puts a strain on the animal shelter budget.

“The lack of revenue caused by the noncompliance with licensing requirements negatively impacts the ability to protect animals from abuse and neglect, to protect the public from stray and dangerous dogs and to operate a humane animal shelter,” stated City Ordinance 110809.

Newly adopted City Ordinance 110809 will ensure that pet licensing revenue will be accounted for separately and only used for animal control and animal shelter operations.

“That (ordinance) is a key component in assuring we can maximize revenue from licensing fees and minimize the drain on the contingency fund or General Revenue (Fund),” City Council member John Sharp said. “The more we can ensure this money will be accounted for and spent correctly on animal control and the animal shelter, the more that will comply and the more money we can bring in for animal services.”

City council members also hope the ordinance will encourage more veterinarians to allow their customers to pay the city’s pet licensing fee at the vet clinic.

Council members also approved a $410,820 six-month contract with the non-profit Kansas City Pet Project for operation of the animal shelter. The contract is renewable at the end of the six months.

Jazz District TIF terminated
For more than a decade the Kansas City Jazz District at 18th and Vine has benefited from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan. Being a designated TIF helped the district construct more than 200 residential units and approximately 70,000 square feet of commercial space. Since all eligible costs have been reimbursed, the TIF Commission recommended the Jazz District TIF Plan be terminated. Council members accepted the recommendation and voted to terminate the Jazz District TIF Plan.

However, the council also voted to direct the city manager to collaborate with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and the Jazz District Redevelopment Corporation to plan the next phase of redevelopment for the Jazz District.