The city's finance department shall cause to be maintained a permanent record disclosing serial numbers of dog and cat licenses and dog and cat license tags issued; names and addresses of keepers to whom the same are issued, and the amount paid therefor; a permanent record describing each animal impounded, noting, in the case of each impounded dog or cat, whether the same bears a dog or cat license tag and giving the number thereof and the name of the person to whom issued whenever there is such a tag, and also noting in each case how the impounded animal was disposed of, giving names and addresses of the persons to whom the animals were delivered, if delivered, and amounts received from such keepers.
(Code 1973, § 5-1; Code 1997, § 90.01; Ordinance 57-15, adopted 9/18/1957; Ordinance 99-36, adopted 6/2/1999; Ordinance 99-49, adopted 8/4/1999; Ordinance 04-28, adopted 4/21/2004)
(a) 
Creation of dedicated fund, accounting and reporting requirements.
The director of finance shall establish a dedicated fund entitled the "Harlingen Animal Shelter Fund" in the city's financial management system into which, after deductions for all fees and monies owed the state, shall be deposited all fines and fees collected by the city's municipal court arising from the enforcement of the city code, article IV, animal control (division 1 through 3) and as to which he will make available a complete accounting of all fines and fees collected.
(b) 
Disbursement authorization requirements.
The city commission shall select and approve all funding for the city animal shelter which come from the city's animal shelter fund based on the list of priorities developed and recommended by the city manager or his designee each year as part of the annual budget development and adoption process.
(c) 
Amendment of conflicting ordinances.
All ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of this section as adopted and amended herein, are hereby amended to the extent of such conflict. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between this section and any other code or ordinance of the city, the terms and provisions of this section shall govern.
(Ordinance 2024-18 adopted 4/17/2024)
A committee to be known as the animal shelter advisory committee is hereby established.
(Code 1997, § 90.60; Ordinance 04-28, adopted 4/21/2004)
The basic purpose of the animal shelter advisory committee is to assist in and ensure compliance with requirements of Texas Health and Safety Code ch. 823 regulating animal shelters.
(Code 1997, § 90.61; Ordinance 04-28, adopted 4/21/2004)
(a) 
The animal shelter advisory committee shall consist of seven voting members each of whom shall be appointed by the city commission. The mayor shall appoint two voting members. Each city commissioner shall have one appointment to the board. Board members shall be appointed to a three-year term of office which shall run concurrently with the term of the member of the city commissioner who appointed said board member.
(b) 
The city manager, or his (designee), shall serve as an ex-officio (non-voting) members of the board.
(c) 
Board composition shall include one licensed veterinarian, one county or municipal official, one person whose duties include the daily operation of an animal shelter, and one representative from an animal welfare organization. Each member of the committee shall be at least 18 years of age.
(d) 
The purpose of the animal shelter advisory committee shall be to advise the city commission as the whether the Harlingen Animal Shelter is being operated in a manner which is consistent with Texas Health and V.T.C.A., Safety Code § 823.000 et seq.
(e) 
The board shall meet at least three times a year.
(Code 1997, § 90.62; Ordinance 04-28, adopted 4/21/2004; Ordinance 2022-03, § 1, adopted 1/5/2022; Ordinance 2023-49, adopted 11/1/2023)
The animal shelter advisory committee shall elect its chairperson and vice-chairperson by majority vote of its original membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of regular meetings.
(Code 1997, § 90.63; Ordinance 04-28, adopted 4/21/2004)
The animal shelter advisory committee shall meet at least three times per year to discuss and ensure compliance with the applicable animal shelter regulations as established by the Texas Department of Health, to request technical assistance from members of the city staff and to make recommendations for revisions, review, or other matters concerning the operation of the city's animal shelter.
(Code 1997, § 90.64; Ordinance 04-28, adopted 4/21/2004)