Budget requires creative solutions

With the city facing painful choices for how to close what has become a perennial budget shortfall - which this year sits at around $1.6 million - we're pleased to see city leaders evaluating at least one alternative to the business-as-usual approach employed in the past.

Public outcry over a proposal in March to do away with the city's two animal control officers led the city council to finally give serious consideration to an option first floated last summer that could save the city as much as $150,000 annually.

In this case, it is the potential to provide quality animal control services in a less costly manner under the operation of a local nonprofit organization.

The Petaluma Animal Services Foundation first presented their proposal last summer, but it was summarily rejected after shelter employees expressed unhappiness at the prospect of working for a nonprofit organization, which might offer a less attractive pay and benefits package.

Controversy was avoided, along with a potential money-saving solution for taxpayers.

It was a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. But now that the city is clearly unable to afford the status quo, local government has tentatively begun exploring innovative ways to finance and deliver city services.

It may be a small step, but in an era of continually diminished public resources, it's the only logical course to take.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.