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Committee approves $21,200 wildlife‑damage contract and sets hay price for claims
Summary
The committee approved continuation of the county contract for wildlife damage program at $21,200 in the 2026 budget, set hay at $180/ton for claims and set the 80% harvest date at Nov. 1 to limit late‑season damage claims.
The Natural Resources Committee approved a contract and 2026 budget line totaling $21,200 to continue the county’s wildlife‑damage program and also set commodity pricing and a harvest‑date standard for claims.
Zoning staff said the contract covers administration, mileage and abatement work performed by the county’s contractor, identified in the meeting as Greg Serban. The budget line includes a small allowance for venison donation processing, though staff said local processing capacity is presently limited.
Members discussed which species are covered and noted program limitations: staff said the program assesses damage from bear, deer, elk and turkey and assists with abatement but that cougars and sandhill cranes are not eligible for lethal control through this program. Serban answered questions about operations and told the committee the budget and contract were in line with prior years.
For claim valuation, wildlife program staff recommended using a county hay price of $180 per ton and setting the 80% harvest date at Nov. 1, after which claim eligibility for crop losses is limited. The committee approved the budget and contract and adopted the commodity price and harvest date by motion.
