Increase
Previously, the most recent dog license fee increase was in 1983. Since then, costs have increased substantially. Before the most recent increase, license fees and impound related fees covered less than 20% of Animal Control's expenses.
The remaining 80% or so came out of the City's general budget. The City, while recognizing the benefits of having Animal Control services, wanted the general public to bear less of the burden. The dog license fee rate increase was designed to pay for about 50% of those costs.