Council renews animal-patrol agreement with Huachuca City and joins county shelter talks

Sierra Vista city council approved renewal of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to provide animal-patrol and shelter services to the nearby town of Huachuca City, with a revised fee structure staff said balances recoverable costs and volunteer offsets.

Chief Peizer, presenting the item, said Sierra Vista has provided the service since Huachuca City’s shelter closed after a fire in 2018. "With this IGA coming up for renewal, we looked at a different fee structure that both parties could agree to, primarily for ease of billing," he told council. He said some individual veterinary or care costs for unclaimed animals can reach "upwards of $800 per animal."

Peizer said staff agreed on a progressively increasing fee schedule intended to recover long-term care and rehoming costs while recognizing the shelter uses volunteer labor to reduce charges. He added the city assesses a redemption fee of $8 per day when an animal brought to the shelter is later reclaimed by its owner; that fee is separate from the IGA cost structure for animals the shelter retains and rehabs.

The chief also told council Sierra Vista is participating in a county-level working group led by Cochise County Supervisor Kathleen Gomez to evaluate countywide animal-shelter options. "I would love to see a county shelter option become available before this 5-year agreement expires," Peizer said, adding the countywide option could reduce duplication and expand capacity.

Council members expressed support for the updated IGA and for staff participation in the county effort. The resolution to renew the agreement passed by voice vote.