Police comment on the costs of merging animal services

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) – Mesa County Animal Services is moving forward with handing over its animal control operations to communities throughout Mesa County.

This summer, the county announced the merger and said responsibility for enforcing and responding to requests would shift to individual law enforcement agencies.

The Grand Junction Police Department (GJPD) has estimated how much it could cost.

“We estimate this service will cost at least $530,000,” said Kelly Clingman, public information officer for GJPD. “It’s an operating cost. It’s a matter of how much staff it will take to set up this program and what the equipment costs will be.”

Clingman says some of the equipment costs went toward a brand new animal control vehicle that is currently being worked on.

The cost is an estimate, as Clingman says: “It’s really fluid right now as we look at what this program is going to look like and what happens next.”

Mesa County is also commenting on the lawsuit.

“We are doing something that has never been done here in Mesa County, and it is important to us to ensure that this happens with these changes and that our public remains informed,” said Matt Lewis, director of judicial services for Mesa County.

Lewis says Animal Services will continue to be available for general services such as adoption, volunteering, medical needs, etc.

Existing Animal Services officers have the opportunity to transfer to law enforcement in their current positions or remain with Animal Services for other assignments.

“It was really driven by employee safety, employee feedback and the community, and we tried to make the best of it,” Lewis says.

Further information on the merger will be announced to the public prior to the program launch date of January 1, 2025.

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