Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution designating Animal Services Office vehicles as emergency vehicles as defined by Section 541.201 of the Texas Transportation Code. Funding: Expense savings from this action will have no fiscal impact on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Animal Services operating budget.
De
Lead Department
Animal Services Office.
Fiscal Note
Expense savings from this action will have no fiscal impact on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Animal Services operating budget.
Additional Backup Information:
The Animal Services Office (ASO) Animal Protection division defends animals from abuse or neglect, helps injured animals, works closely with law enforcement to contain or help aggressive dangerous animals, assists other agencies with wildlife such as coyotes or bats, and ensures that City ordinances related to animal welfare are followed. ASO provides these services to Austin residents and residents who live in the unincorporated areas of Travis County. The estimated coverage area of service exceeds 1,000 square miles.
To ensure a timely response to a call an Animal Protection Officer (APO) will select the quickest route to aid without the financial concerns of paying tolls and administrative fees for use of tolled facilities. In FY24, ASO spent $34,807.34 on toll fees that would be better expended toward animal care facilities, adoption services, and free or low-cost community services such as vaccinations, spay and neuter, and microchipping. To reduce those costs, ASO vehicles can be designated as “emergency vehicles” by the governing body of the municipality as outlined in Section 541.201(1)(D) of the Texas Transportation Code and be exempt from tolls and administrative fees at tolled facilities.