Resident raises concerns about new out-of-state dog licensing vendor and accessibility

A Waterloo resident told the City Council that the city's dog licensing program now uses an out-of-state vendor for administration and said the change may make licensing harder for older residents and could reduce local control over fees.
David Dyer of 3145 West Fourth Street said he received a letter about a required license and that the city previously administered licensing locally. "Now we're out of state. Docupec, an out of state company, now administers the dog lysine," Dyer said, asking how much of the $15 fee the vendor retains and whether that fee still supports the dog park.
Dyer said older residents may lack internet access and that the new process appears to require online steps. "Older people don't understand computers," he said, adding he mailed his form because he found online steps difficult.
City staff did not provide an on-the-record response during Dyer's public comment; no formal council action was recorded on licensing during the meeting. The resident asked whether local veterinarians are sharing rabies records with the new vendor and argued the change could act as a hidden tax if fees are not transparent.
No ordinance, fee schedule, or contract details were presented in the public comment record; the transcript records the resident's questions and concerns but does not show staff answers or a council decision.