Commission renews annual animal-control contract with High Desert Humane Society; commissioners ask about emergency reimbursement

Grant County commissioners approved Amendment 2 to the animal-control services contract for High Desert Humane Society during the June 26 meeting, renewing an annual agreement and extending services for another year.

Staff described the item as the routine June renewal the county executes each year. The contract as presented to commissioners was described in the meeting as approximately $36,000 for the year. Commissioner Shalley and others thanked the humane society and volunteers for their assistance during recent fires and asked whether the humane society could receive state or emergency management reimbursement for expenses such as additional staffing. County staff replied that most support received during the emergency were community donations and volunteer time and that donations are generally not reimbursable; staff said they were still learning which emergency-related costs might be eligible for reimbursement.

A motion to approve the contract amendment passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: local animal-control providers often shoulder costs during emergencies; commissioners sought clarity about whether donated resources or extra staffing could be reimbursed through state emergency management programs.