By Barb Brouwer
Contributor
Two Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors had a bone to pick about dog control service in their electoral areas at the Dec. 8 board meeting in Salmon Arm.
Areas F and D directors Jay Simpson and Dean Trumbley agreed to authorize the awarding of a sole-source contract to BC Commissionaires for dog control services in electoral areas C, D, G and F for a one-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024 at a total cost of $77, 561.
“The cost is not significant… about $5,000, not a huge deal, but I notice we only had three complaints through 2023 so it’s fairly expensive for a complaint basis,” said Simpson. “I’m not going to vote against this motion for this particular year, but I will get into further consultation with community on this going forward.”
“It’s a real bone of contention service in Area D and how it was put forward to the area,” added Trumbley. “In speaking with the five community associations I deal with, there is not a lot of support for this service. I will vote in favour for the year, but when it comes up for renewal I will definitely be questioning it.”
The comments followed a report to the board from building and bylaw services manager Marty Herbert, who pointed out that Commissionaires is a private, Canadian, not-for-profit company with 15 independent divisions encompassing 50 plus offices and more than 20,000 employees.
Since January 2019, the CSRD has engaged the Commissionaires BC to provide dog control services for Electoral Areas C, D, F and G.
“Since that time, the BC Commissionaires have demonstrated they are a private contractor available to perform dog control duties on an economical scale,” wrote Herbert. “The contracted dog control service in the four Electoral areas, is funded through tax requisition, and the sale of dog licences in Electoral Area C and G only.”
Herbert said a surplus of approximately $17,000 exists at year-end due to staffing challenges the contractor had over the past year. That means there are sufficient funds available to accommodate the 2024 contract with the existing tax requisition and expected surplus within the electoral area dog control budgets.
Read more: CSRD passes dog control bylaw for Falkland, Salmon Valley communities
Read more: Dog control survey results roll in for North Okanagan-Shuswap
Herbert advised directors that bylaw enforcement staff continually review the dog control service and collaborate with the Commissionaires regarding improvements to levels of service.
“As such, as part of the Development Services 2024 work plan, staff will provide a report to the board in 2024 to start a comprehensive discussion regarding the provision of CSRD dog control services generally in the electoral areas, including directors’ expected/desired levels of service,” noted Herbert. “Any proposed changes to the service would at the earliest, take effect in 2025.”
“Area G Director Natalya Melnychuk suggested representatives of the Commissionaires be asked to present to the board in 2024 so directors could better understand their role.
“We’re well familiar that the board wishes to have dialogue for a comprehensive report that looks at the service as a whole, so that is our plan for 2024,” said Herbert. “At that point we’ll provide some options and look at the will of directors going forward and provide legislation that’s applicable to the possible elimination of the service, or whatever level of service the board wishes.”
Electoral Area E director Rhona Martin said she had three people contact her and express their concern that there is no dog control service in her area.
“I don’t think most people are aware of the level of service,” she said, noting she believes people have an unrealistic expectation of what is provided. “It’s not like you can phone up and complain and someone will come immediately.”
Following the discussion, the motion to sign a one-year contract with the BC Commissionaires was carried unanimously.
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