Saying it will save money and increase services, Salt Lake City and County officials on Friday announced plans to merge their animal control departments.

They also expressed a hope that other cities will join the consolidated approach. County Commissioner Mike Stewart said a countywide animal control department funded through the county's general fund could be in place by 1994 if enough cities join.Salt Lake Mayor Palmer DePaulis said the city will save $65,000 immediately by merging, and he expects long-term benefits because cost-sharing will reduce projected increases.

Under the announced plan, the city and county will test the consolidation for two years beginning Oct. 1. The city's 14 workers will transfer to the county, but the position of director will be eliminated.

Stewart said better service was the primary reason for the merger. He said officers can be deployed countywide as needed, rather than restricted by the two boundaries.

Both said accountability to their constituents will be maintained just as it is with the joint landfill and board of health.

The mayor also indicated that discussions are progressing regarding other potential mergers, particularly for the two fire departments.

"I don't expect to see it soon, but possibly within a year or two we may have something on the table," DePaulis said.

The interlocal agreement for merged animal control services must be ratified by the City Council. That process will entail a public hearing, which could generate some opposition, especially among city animal shelter workers.

In June, workers there wore black ribbons over their badges to protest the move. Workers said a combined division would not be able to give the individual attention to residents that a smaller, city-controlled shelter would.

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The employees worried about losing the petting zoo adjacent to the shelter, located at 890 N. 300 West. They also worried that programs unique to the city's shelter, such as one that provides pets for senior citizens, would be eliminated if the two divisions merged. City officials admitted some of the programs may be eliminated.

The county is constructing a new animal shelter at 511 W. 3900 South. It is scheduled for completion in 1992. The city expects to raze its shelter and replace it with a more modern facility.

Stewart said the work on those shelters would have proceeded regardless of the merger.

In recent months, the city's shelter has been bothered by scandal and by the intense criticism of its petting zoo. The former director, Lou Lynes, quit in March after admitting he misused funds. He later was charged with stealing $28,500. In recent weeks, animal activists initiated a nationwide letter-writing campaign against the petting zoo, alleging the division is not properly caring for the animals.

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