City council to examine outsourcing family and petting zoo

The city council will consider a proposal on Tuesday to assess whether the operations of the Family and Petting Zoo could be outsourced in part or in full, mbl.is reports. The proposal was submitted by councillors from the Independence Party, Viðreisn and the Progressive Party.

The zoo’s operations have faced financial difficulties for years. In an article last year, Independence Party alternate councillor Friðjón R. Friðjónsson said its accumulated deficit over the previous 25 years was more than ISK 9 billion, at the price levels then. He said the deficit over the previous decade was ISK 5.5 billion, while the city’s direct contributions since 2000 amounted to nearly ISK 7 billion in current prices.

Under the proposal, the city’s culture and sports department, in consultation with its finance and risk management department, would map the zoo’s operations, assess actual costs and investment needs for the coming years, and gauge private-sector interest in becoming involved.

The assessment would cover daily operating income and expenses, staff costs, maintenance, facilities and animal care. It would also examine whether private operators have the financial capacity and professional expertise to take on individual parts of the operation or the entire business.

The proposal says private-sector cooperation could create opportunities for further development, more entertainment and a wider range of services, including expanded food and retail businesses and more events. It stresses that animal welfare and the zoo’s educational role for schoolchildren must be maintained.