Our fine city is undergoing a new and refreshing wave of transparent and ethical accountability. Kudos to our new city manager, T.C. Broadnax, for stirring things up and for raising the bar. As the last few assistant city managers cling to their lifeboats, we’re concerned about a potentially unethical move the city is about to make. The city is currently drafting a Memo Of Understanding (MOU) between Dallas’ Animal Care Services and their “Friends Of” organization, DCAP, while DCAP is still under investigation for potential ethics violations including potential financial malfeasance.
It is also our understanding that per the city charter, friends of 501c-3 organizations are not allowed to act in a manner that is political in nature, make political statements, or make statements that erode that trust of the citizens towards the city and its leaders. The groups are formed in support of the main organization’s goals and missions. It has been long documented going back to the 2009/2010 Humane Society of the United States audit of DAS that DCAP is not aligned with DAS, the council, or the taxpayers. DCAP’s political overreach is well documented in the email below from a citizen to the city.
What we don’t understand is why after all the of years of misalignment, maligning, and potential misappropriations of funds, why won’t the city break up with DCAP? It’s like they’re in an abusive relationship and they can’t break up with their mean, controlling, bullying boyfriend. Snap out of it, listen to your friends and break up already!
Is it really worth 1,200 spay and neuters a year while organizations like the SPCA of Texas are on track to do 35,000 spay and neuters this year? Why can’t the city see what the public, and the funders, see? It’s time to consciously uncouple and move on to more supportive relationships that benefit and elevate the shelter, the citizens, the council, the commission, and most of all, the animals. DCAP is not the vehicle to the future. Let’s ask the city to give the new Animal Care Director a leg up on success by cutting the ties with DCAP. If nothing else, at least wait until the investigation is over to provide an MOU.
We have knowledge of several letters that have gone to city management regarding this matter. Here is one email, with supporting fact based documentation, that explains the situations very thoroughly.
—-begin letter
Dear Mr. Broadnax,
I have just learned that the city is in the process of drafting and approving an MOU with DCAP that will allow them to resume their status as the “friends of” organization of ACS (DAS). I am extremely concerned about this so I thought I should message you giving some background information in the hopes that you will reconsider finalizing the MOU at this time.
Summary:
Documentation Summary (in chronological order):