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Sheriff recommends contract with Mountain Green Animal Hospital; commission approves interim animal-control agreement with edits
Summary
After reviewing options, Sheriff Stark recommended contracting with Mountain Green Animal Hospital for animal control services. The commission approved an interim service agreement with edits from the county attorney and a five-month term to allow time for competitive procurement or long-term contracting.
Morgan County Sheriff Cory Stark recommended that the county contract with Mountain Green Animal Hospital for animal care and boarding after an internal review showed building a county shelter would be considerably more expensive.
Stark told commissioners that Mountain Green offered a $1,000-per-month service that includes on-site veterinary access and handling of up to $2,500 in unauthorized veterinary costs per month; the sheriff said switching would save the county about $18,000 a year compared with some prior contracts and that the local hospital’s proximity is an operational advantage.
Commission review and edits County attorneys reviewed a draft agreement and recommended minor edits, mutual indemnification language consistent with the county's insurer (UCIP), and a short initial term so the county could return to a competitive process if desired. The county attorney asked for a five-month agreement to remain within procurement rules while allowing time to solicit bids and a longer-term competitive process if the county chooses.
Commission action Commissioner Newton moved to approve the agreement with the edits suggested by the county attorney; Commissioner Fackrell seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters The agreement moves animal-care duties to a local veterinary provider and aims to contain cost increases. The sheriff said the arrangement includes on-site veterinary oversight and that the hospital will house animals pending tests; euthanasia policies would follow the hospital’s protocols and state requirements for public health and animal control.
Ending The commission approved the interim agreement and asked the county attorney to add UCIP-approved indemnification and insurance provisions; staff will return if a longer-term vendor selection process is required.
