Shoreline Council Nixes In-House Animal Control

The Shoreline City Council by a 4-3 vote Monday moved forward with plans three-year contract with King County to provide animal control services instead of creating its own service for city residents.

An interlocal agreement with King County will likely be approved in June with King County Animal Services.

The Council gave direction to city manager Julie Underwood and staff members to come up with an in-house solution for animal control but in the end it didn’t pass.

Councilmembers Will Hall, Shari Winstead and Chris Roberts supported the in-house solution, but Mayor Keith McGlashan and Councilmembers, Doris McConnell, Jesse Salomon and Chris Eggen decided to stay with King County.

“From the vote last night, it seems that something changed, but I can't explain it,” Hall said. “Staff acknowledged that the in-house model would provide a higher level of service, and the King County model charges us for a shelter we don't use, and the King County model provides about $900,000 in subsidies to cities in south King County.  Yet councilmembers shifted to supporting King County.”

McConnell made comments at the March 19 meeting that showed support for an in-house solution, but decided to vote to renew the contract Monday saying, “it’s not the best time to move out of King County, where the numbers stand now.”

After hearing from a representative from King County at Monday’s meeting, McConnell said she felt the city would be getting better service and it would strengthen the city’s relationship with King County.