Form revised May 5, 2009

2010-2011 BUDGET LEGISLATION FISCAL NOTE

Note: This fiscal note template may be used for most pieces of budget legislation.  Certain legislation submitted with the budget (e.g., the Supplemental Ordinance) requires that the standard fiscal note template be used with some modification.  Please work with your Budget Analyst so that your fiscal note provides the information that is required during the budget process. The standard template can be found on the Legislation Home Page on the inweb at http://inweb/legislationtracking/

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	DOF Analyst/Phone:
Executive Administration	Don Jordan/386-4286	Lawand Anderson/233-2780

Legislation Title:

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Animal Fee Ordinance; adjusting spaying and neutering fees at the Municipal Spay and Neuter Clinic; and amending Subsection 9.26.060 A of the Seattle Municipal Code.

· Summary of the Legislation: The proposed legislation raises spaying and neutering fees charged by the City’s Municipal Spay and Neuter Clinic.

· Background: Ordinance 122847, which was passed during the 2009 budget process, adjusted spaying and neutering fees, effective January 1, 2009.  Under the current proposal, spay/neuter surgical services would be raised by $30 for each procedure, effective January 1, 2010, allowing the City’s Municipal Spay and Neuter Clinic to recover its surgical service costs.  Based on a recent survey of local service providers, the Clinic’s new fees will continue to be significantly below those charged in the private market. 

Low spay and neuter rates encourage citizens to alter their companion animals, thereby reducing the number of unwanted and uncared for pets on city streets and in the Seattle Animal Shelter.  While the proposed standard fee levels will be less than those charged by private clinics, the Municipal Clinic’s low-income customers will have access to financial assistance with the cost of spaying and neutering their pets, using donations made to the City’s Pet Population Control Fund.  This type of financial assistance will ensure that all Seattle citizens have access to these important animal welfare services.

· Please check one of the following:

____ This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.)

__X__ This legislation has financial implications. Please complete all relevant sections that follow.

Summary of Changes to Revenue Generated Specifically From This Legislation:  For budget legislation that changes revenue (e.g., fees, taxes, etc.), please provide detail on each revenue-producing item that is being changed, when it was last changed, and how the item’s new overall cost compares with similar costs charged elsewhere in the region.

	Revenue Source	2010 Proposed
Total Fees and Charges Resulting From Passage of This Ordinance	Cat and Dog Spay and Neuter Fee Increases	$93,000

Notes:  Spay/neuter fee charges pursuant to SMC 9.26.060 were last raised effective January 1, 2009, through Ordinance 122847.  Through a recent survey of local veterinary clinics, DEA has determined that the new fee levels will be at 60% – 70% of private rates for the same services.  Donations to defray the cost of spaying and neutering services for low-income customers will continue. 

Anticipated Total Revenue from Entire Program, Including Changes Resulting From This Legislation:

Fund Name and Number	Revenue Source	Total 2010 Revenue
General Fund 00100	Cat and Dog Spay and Neuter Fees	$475,000
TOTAL		$475,000

· What is the financial cost of not implementing this legislation? The City would forgo the estimated revenue generated from the proposed fee increase. 

· Does this legislation affect any departments besides the originating department?  No other departments are affected by this legislation.

· What are the possible alternatives to the legislation that could achieve the same or similar objectives?  None

· Is the legislation subject to public hearing requirements? No.

· Other Issues: None.

Please list attachments to the fiscal note below: None.