A RIVERLAND council will add no increases to its animal management fees in 2020 to assist local households recovering from the COVID-19 crisis.
Renmark Paringa councillors passed a motion at last month’s general meeting to keep animal management fees and charges at the same cost as the previous year.
Renmark Paringa chief executive officer Tony Siviour said where possible council wanted to avoid adding extra costs for residents financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re not wanting to increase the burden on the community, so we’ll leave the fees the same as they were for this financial year,” Mr Siviour said.
Mr Siviour said revenue generated by registration fees was used to maintain council’s animal management services.
“The fees we generate for animal management are used to run our pound, pay for the cost of our general inspector to pick up dogs and return them to owners, and to check registration fees,” he said.
“It’s a cost neutral service we provide, that should be funded through animal management fees.”