Operations committee approves short-term extension for animal shelter contract with Lifeline Grama Project Inc.

The DeKalb County Operations Committee voted to approve a change order extending the county’s contract with Lifeline Grama Project Inc. for animal shelter operations through June 30, 2025, with a not-to-exceed amount of $2,182,500.

County staff told the committee they had received a report from the National Center for Animal Shelter Evaluations and Lifeline’s response and that a management response would be submitted to the auditor’s office within the week to document the current status of the shelter. Staff described operational challenges: the shelter handles approximately 1,700 animals at a facility designed for 350–400, and managers have had to rely on additional systems for fostering and adoption to address capacity.

A county official said the requested increase and extension cover March through June 30, 2025, and that a 12-month extension would be requested only after the committee had reviewed the management response and the evaluations. Committee members asked whether the requested not-to-exceed amount represented a full-year projection; staff responded that the $2,182,500 figure represents the extension through June 30 and is approximately one quarter of the full annual cost.

The committee approved the change order by voice vote. Staff will return with the management response and, if requested, a proposal for a 12-month contract after committee review of the audit and evaluations.