Riley County approves amended contract with Prairie Paws for animal shelter services

County staff presented an amended agreement for animal shelter services with Prairie Paws that changes the fee structure from a flat fee to an annual escalation (2.5%) and increases the termination‑without‑cause notice from 30 to 90 days.

County staff and commissioners discussed the fiscal impact for 2026. Documents referenced an annual amount in the low‑to‑mid $30,000 range; one staff member said 2026 would begin at about $36,300, while earlier references in the discussion noted roughly $33,000. A commissioner moved to approve the agreement as presented and the commission voted in favor.

Why it matters: The contract governs sheltering and animal control services used by the county. Commissioners noted the change affects next year’s budget and will likely require a transfer from the general fund to cover the increase. The agreement also notes operational adjustments because RCPD will take on some animal control responsibilities in the future.

The commission approved the agreement and asked staff to manage budget adjustments for the coming year as needed.