Blog / The Business Perspective
Let the Zoo Out of its Cage
August 16, 2011
by Gary Toebben
Unlike most major U.S. cities, the Los Angeles Zoo is still tethered to a city government that will soon be unable to afford to feed the animals or the keepers. An effort to explore an opportunity to create a public/private partnership for our Zoo, by releasing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an independent operator, passed in L.A. City Council last week. But we have a long way to go before progress is assured.It is a sad state of affairs for the animals and employees alike when a thorough and credible study by KPMG on the future of the Zoo predicts furloughs for the employees, a drain on the City budget and closures for the public. Yet that study is completely ignored by the City employees' union and some of our elected officials. As a result, City staff not only has to prepare the RFP, but study ways the City can make the Zoo more profitable without creating a public/private parternship.
The KPMG study could not have been more definitive on what will happen if the Zoo remains under the death grip of the City. What they found is nothing less than dramatic. Currently the Zoo’s operating budget is $17.6 million dollars, of which $6 million comes directly from the City’s general fund. On top of that, the City spends an additional $8.6 million on other support services such as security that also comes from the general fund. Through a public/private partnership, the City will save a minimum of $20 million dollars over the next 5 years.
If the City chooses not to support a public/private partnership, the projected general fund shortfall starting in the 2012-13 fiscal year will put the Zoo at a $15.9 million deficit, which by 2015 will rise to a $20.3 million deficit. If this happens, admission prices will rise, staff will be reduced, exhibits will be shuttered and the Zoo could eventually close. Only a public/private partnership will allow the Zoo to remain open and increase its viability as an affordable public attraction by leveraging private dollars for the benefit of a public good.
We applaud Councilmember Tom LaBonge's passionate support for the well being of the Zoo, which won the day when all but two Councilmembers voted to move the RFP forward so that the possibility of a public/private partnership can be explored.
It's time for the games to stop. The Los Angeles City Council must stick its neck out — no disrespect to the giraffes — and look toward the long-term future good of the Zoo, the City and the public.
And that's The Business Perspective.
Comments
So who were the 2 council members who did not go along with this ?
Posted by: paul veyna @ 12:12:00 pm

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