City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JEREMY MCPIKE, DIRECTOR, GENERAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Request for Release of Contingency Funds for Animal Control Officer Salary Adjustment
BODY
ISSUE: City Council held $27,000 in Contingent Reserves to improve compensation for Alexandria animal control officers to come from the revenue re-estimation of $27,000.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council release and allocate $27,000 in Contingent Reserves to address Alexandria animal control officer pay disparity.
BACKGROUND: In the context of the FY 2027 add/delete process, City Council asked that staff compare the job description and pay of Alexandria animal control officers with that of animal control officer positions in local comparator jurisdictions. If staff determined that there was a pay disparity with animal control officers with similar job responsibilities, staff was to recommend what it would take to bring the pay of the Alexandria animal control officers in line with the average salaries of entry level animal control officers in local comparator jurisdictions.
DISCUSSION: The City has a contract with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) to provide animal shelter management and animal control services, a business model also utilized by Arlington County. In response to City Council's request in the context of the FY 2027 add/delete process, staff compared animal control officer job responsibilities and salary data from several comparator jurisdictions, including Fairfax, Montgomery, Arlington and Prince George's Counties. Staff determined that the job responsibilities of Alexandria animal control officers closely mirror the responsibilities of animal control officers in the comparator jurisdictions. However, when comparing salaries with comparator jurisdictions, it became apparent that the entry level salar...
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