By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The City of Great Bend’s contract with the Golden Belt Humane Society
for animal control was renewed for another five-year agreement at this week's Great Bend City Council meeting.
Along with performing duties required by the Animal Control Authority, the agreement
outlines the humane society will remove dead or stray animals from the street,
impound animals for rabies, manage wildlife that poses a threat and respond to
cases of animals in need of care.
Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis said there are two significant
changes to the new contract.
"Previously, we had built in an annual cost increase of five percent to their budget allocation," said Francis. "We have removed that. Also, this does provide a mechanism for issuing notices to appear for violations of article six of city code of ordinances which deals with animals."
The city council was in consensus to fund the humane society their requested
$105,000 for the 2023 budget.
Going forward, the humane society will submit a budget to the city by May 15 of each year. The city will consider the request and determine a funding level.