Bellevue-based Seattle Humane society has offered to take over animal sheltering duties for Bellevue and four other Eastside cities – and says it can do it for less than half the cost King County charges to do the job.

The offer comes as Bellevue, and other cities, are renegotiating animal control contracts with the county, which are up at the end of 2012. The county and cities have until May 1 to negotiate a new contract.

“It would be a good idea for the cities from a purely financial consideration as well as a level of service, where they can increase their response to citizens,” said Seattle Humane Society CEO David Loewe.

The Humane Society operates a shelter in Bellevue near Factoria.

Under terms of the county contract, Bellevue, along with more than 20 other cities, pays for animal shelter, field operations and licensing. Cities are grouped into four districts that share six animal control officers. Bellevue is grouped with Issaquah, Mercer Island, Snoqualmie and North Bend. One officer is dedicated to each district, while two “floater” officers jump between districts as needed.

The cities paid the county a total of $2.5 million for this service in mid-2010.

Bellevue officials have been discussing the possibility that it would provide animal control officers to the other cities, while each city would control its own shelter contracts and licensing. Pet licenses cost $30 under the King County system, and revenue from these sales is returned to the cities to help offset cost of service.

The total costs of taking on some of the current county duties while continuing others is unknown.

Sheida Sahandy, assistant to Bellevue’s city manager, said taking over part of the service would require approximately $150,000 in startup costs. It could be risky, she said, with residents potentially demanding a higher level of service than the county provides. Additionally, the city would have to deal with costs related to enforcement of animal cruelty issues.

As part its new proposal, King County is willing to cap costs at what cities pay in 2012. Bellevue’s estimate is $70,676.

The Bellevue council is expected to make a decision on this policy at its April 16 meeting.