Animal Regulation Contract Undecided

City officials say they would like a few more answers before they sign an animal regulation contract with the county.

Further extending a drawn-out debate over animal regulation, the City Council delayed voting on the $265,000-contract Monday night. The issue will be revisited at a meeting Jan. 12--when Ventura County Animal Control Officer Kathy Jenks can answer questions about cost, services and performance standards.

Looking for better service at lower prices, Simi Valley officials considered switching to Los Angeles County’s animal regulators earlier this year. But Los Angeles County couldn’t deliver anticipated savings while keeping care standards high and still operating a part-time shelter in Simi Valley.

Now, Simi Valley wants some assurances from the local agency.

“My concern is that we’re going to pay the county . . . and they’re going to service us however they want to,” Councilman Paul Miller said Monday night. “I don’t want to see business as usual. Just because they got the contract doesn’t mean we like them any more.”