Animal Shelters Need Help From Bond Measure, Audit Reveals

The city controller’s office issued an audit Monday concluding that the animal services department is in dire need of a $154-million bond measure aimed at relieving overcrowded conditions in the city’s animal shelters.

“Because voters will need to decide in November on the approval or rejection of a proposed bond measure for constructing and refurbishing animal shelters in the city, we have made an effort to address issues directly relevant to the bond proposal,” said City Controller Rick Tuttle.

If approved by a two-thirds majority, the measure--Proposition F--will provide money needed to upgrade the city’s six animal shelters and two new facilities. The measure also would provide $375.5 million for the city Fire Department, which would use the money to build or upgrade fire stations.