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Council approves larger multi‑year contract with Capital Humane Society, adds reporting and oversight conditions
Summary
After months of review, the Lincoln City Council approved a four‑year service agreement with the Capital Humane Society that raises city payments and adds quarterly reporting, performance metrics and a city‑appointed ex‑officio board member. Council and shelter leaders said the changes address a widening funding gap and increase transparency.
The Lincoln City Council voted 6‑0 on Aug. 11 to approve a four‑year animal‑sheltering contract with the Capital Humane Society (CHS) that raises city payments progressively from $1.25 million in year one to $1.65 million in year four and includes a mutual option for a second four‑year term.
The contract replaces prior, smaller agreements the council and CHS said had left the nonprofit operating at a loss while intake and live‑outcome work increased. Rick Hoppe of the mayor’s office said the city had examined alternatives, and that building and operating a city shelter would carry substantial upfront and operating costs.
CHS Executive Director Matt Madcher told the council the organization received about 5,809 animals in the 12 months ending May 2025 and that about 2,894 of those arrived under the city contract (either picked up by animal control or delivered by members of the public). Madcher said CHS’s average length of stay for animals covered by the contract is 15.3 days and that higher live‑outcome rates require longer stays and more veterinary care.
Councilman Ben Bowers proposed and won amendments to the contract that add quarterly performance reporting, a set of data metrics (including counts of veterinary services performed, euthanasia rate with reasons, placement rate and length‑of‑stay bands), a requirement that CHS explore formal third‑party accreditation or other ways to demonstrate conformity with best practices, and a non‑voting, ex‑officio board seat to be filled by a mayoral appointee after Council confirmation. The body also endorsed adding a surcharge of up to $10 to each city pet license labeled on the bill as a “Capital Humane Society sheltering fee,” with the condition that those surcharges be remitted to CHS; the language requires the city to remove the label if the funds are not allocated to the contract.
Hoppe said the pet license surcharge is projected to generate roughly $500,000 annually toward the contract gap; Council and CHS staff said the city will track and report license revenue so CHS can verify monthly receipts. The council’s amendment also gives the health department the duty to track fees and provide transparency on collected amounts.
Council members discussed oversight closely. Councilman Jordan Beckias said he wanted stronger assurances and more data before supporting a large payment increase. Councilman Bowers said the reporting and ex‑officio seat make the arrangement appropriate. At the end of debate the amendment passed 5‑1 (Councilman Beckias voted no); the final contract motion then passed 6‑0.
Madcher and CHS board chair Jamie Hemmerling said the shelter’s board must review the amended contract and, if necessary, adjust CHS bylaws to add the non‑voting seat; they told the council they would return the amended contract to their board for final approval. Hoppe said the administration would work with CHS on implementation details for reporting and license tracking.
The council and CHS leaders framed the agreement as a multi‑year effort to stabilize shelter operations and preserve the organization’s capacity to produce live outcomes for animals while maintaining public‑health safeguards.
Votes and next steps CHS’s board must consider the final amended contract; the city will implement the pet license surcharge and provide monthly license reports to CHS. Council and CHS staff said they expect quarterly performance reports to begin once the contract is in effect.
