Significant Cost Hike Prompts City of Caldwell to Reevaluate WVHS Agre
Published on June 13, 2025
City of Caldwell is committed to using taxpayer dollars responsibly and transparently. That’s why we are sharing an important update regarding the West Valley Humane Society (WVHS), which provides critical animal shelter services to Caldwell, Nampa, and the broader Canyon County community.
In recent weeks, WVHS requested a substantial and unanticipated increase in costs associated with WVHS services to Caldwell, Nampa, and Canyon County. The current contract cost for Caldwell is $68,250.00 for Fiscal Year 2024/25 for the city animal control services, with a 5% increase to $71,662.00 scheduled for the next fiscal year. Under the current contract, WVHS temporarily shelters animals transported to WVHS by the Caldwell Police Department’s Animal Control Unit. The current contract also provides the ability for Caldwell citizens to deliver strays found within city limits to WVHS at a cost to the City of $30/day for up to five days.
WVHS recently presented to the Caldwell City Council an increase in costs from $68,250.00 to $540,000.00 per year from Caldwell to continue with the same services. The new payment structure would leave Caldwell with higher per capita costs than either Nampa or Canyon County. WVHS has informed the City that there is no room for negotiation on the pricing increase—this is the minimum amount required to continue to be able to provide services to Caldwell.
The City received little advance notice of this increase, leaving limited opportunity to prepare our budget for the financial impact in the upcoming fiscal year. As stewards of public funds, we believe it is essential to evaluate all available options carefully and with input from the people we serve. The scope of the proposed increase would significantly affect the City’s overall budget now and in the future, particularly the ability to fund other essential public safety services. Payment of the increased cost will likely prevent Caldwell Police and Caldwell Fire from adding new positions that are critical to keeping up with our City’s public safety needs.
The City values WVHS important service to the community and wants to continue this partnership in the future. The City understands that WVHS is in a difficult situation. To that end, the City is currently exploring options available to continue its relationship in the face of a request for a substantial price increase that is 7.5 times larger than what was agreed to just a few years ago. This is not a one-time payment, but will be an ongoing annual expense. This is not an easy task and will require difficult decisions.
Possible solutions include reducing funding for police and fire personnel, alternative arrangements for sheltering animals involved in animal control services, and exploring options for additional funding for the City through grants or additional tax levies.
To help shape decisions for Fiscal Year 2026 and beyond, the City of Caldwell will host two public Town Hall meetings focused on animal control services, shelter funding, and potential partnerships.
Town Hall Meetings: Location: Caldwell City Hall, Council Chambers, 205 South 6th Avenue Dates: June 17, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and June 30, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (for those unable to speak at the June 17 meeting).
These meetings are dedicated to hearing from the public. Community input will play a key role as we assess the future of animal shelter services and explore viable paths forward. There will be donation bins set up in the City Hall lobby for cat and dog food donations for WVHS beginning June 17, until June 30.
Special accommodations are available upon request. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@cityofcaldwell.org or (208) 455-4656.