by Lindsay Peyton
Passions were running high at tonight’s city council meeting in Burien.

A number of animal owners holding signs in support of Burien Community Animal Resource and Education Society (CARES) were in the audience – and several stepped up to the microphone to voice their concerns about discontinuing the services of the current animal control provider.

The local animal shelter was a hot topic on the agenda during the council’s regular meeting, held at 7 p.m. in the City Hall building, 400 SW 152nd St. in Burien Town Square.

The city council moved the last item of its business agenda – a discussion of provider options for animal control – to the top of the list.

Council members were considering terminating the city’s contract with CARES, a local organization, and using the Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) instead.

During the public comment session, Burien residents relayed their concerns over increased costs associated with the county’s proposed contract.

John Upthegrove pointed out that pet license fees would likely increase from $20 to $40 or even $60. He said that the CARES contract is $178,000, while the county would charge $500,000

“Let’s look at performance – CARES was practically an A-plus,” Upthegrove said. “Performance is no problem. The community tells you how great this organization is. The fact remains that they do a wonderful job for the county.”

Laura Stiles questioned the council’s motives for changing providers. “We know the King County quote is hugely more expensive,” she said. “It makes sense to extend the current contract. The funding is already in place -- and it may not be possible to go back to a local shelter if we don’t like RASKC after all.”

Council member Nancy Tosta made a motion to extend the contract with CARES to the end of 2017 – and to increase the amount of its contract $240,000. She also proposed that the city use an independent veterinarian review the organization’s services.

“We’ve heard a tremendous amount of community support,” Tosta said. “We should look to CARES as a community asset that we have invested a lot in, that a number of members of our community have invested a lot in, and maintain that.”

Council member Debi Wagner, Deputy Mayor Bob Edgar and Mayor Lucy Karkowiak did not support the motion, while council members Steve Armstrong, Lauren Berkowitz and Austin Bell did.

After a short debate, the motion passed 4-3 – amid a chorus of cheers and applause from residents in the audience.