Sylvan Lake is taking over animal control.
Town council voted on Tuesday to hire a full-time bylaw enforcement officer to handle animal complaints, a move meant to save money and provide quicker service.
Previously, animal control has been contracted out but the town believes it can provide quicker service by having its own officer. Existing municipal enforcement staff already handle many animal complaints and must oversee serious incidents such as dog attacks, and dangerous or poisonous restricted animals.
Municipal enforcement staff are spending about $67,500 a year responding to animal complaints. Combined with the cost of the animal control contractor, the service was costing the town more than $130,000 per year.
By taking over the service, the town would also have an additional enforcement officer for other duties when animal control services aren’t needed.
Staff looked at 10 comparable communities and all did their own animal enforcement.
It will cost about $18,000 to get the service up and running by December. Over a full year, the town expects to save about $7,000 annually.