The Iowa City City Council discussed the needs of the new animal shelter Tuesday, including different operating models for animal control.

The councilors raised the possibility of having other areas that benefit from the animal shelter’s services to contribute funding.

Iowa City contributes disproportionately more funding to the shelter than other surrounding towns. In 2011, Iowa City contributed 66 percent of funding to the shelter, while 38 percent of animals in the facility were from Iowa City.

"I think we’ve been very generous in the past," said City Manager Tom Markus.

Markus said the system is creating an inequity, which is a burden to Iowa City taxpayers.

Councilors suggested the possibility of requiring contribution from any towns that benefit from the city’s animal-control services.

The council did not decide on any action, and discussions may continue as more data are presented.

— by Asmaa Elkeurti