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Davenport announces end of long‑term service agreement with Humane Society of Scott County, six‑month transition through Dec. 31, 2026
Summary
Alderman Anne Burkholder told the Committee of the Whole the city and the Humane Society of Scott County could not reach a long‑term contract agreement; the city will provide a final six‑month extension and transition period ending Dec. 31, 2026, after which the current service arrangement will conclude.
Alderwoman Anne Burkholder told the Davenport City Committee of the Whole on Feb. 4 that the city will conclude its service agreement with the Humane Society of Scott County at the end of the current term after a final six‑month extension and transition period ending Dec. 31, 2026.
Burkholder, who served as the council liaison to a task force that reviewed shelter and animal control services, traced the history of the partnership and the city’s efforts to obtain detailed operational cost data. “The city will conclude its service agreement with the Humane Society of Scott County at the end of the current term following a final 6 month extension and transition period ending 12/31/2026,” she said.
Burkholder described prior agreements and financial support: a three‑year service agreement executed in June 2022 with an initial fee of $391,000 and a 3% annual increase; a later one‑year agreement beginning July 1, 2024, for $800,000; and a $50,000 contribution by the city toward a fundraising consultant. She said a task force (including humane society staff, city staff and regional representatives) met regularly beginning April 2024 and offered ordinance recommendations the city adopted, but the council was not provided cost detail in a form that allowed verification of proposed increases.
“Despite those efforts, the funding levels requested exceeded what the city can responsibly commit to without greater certainty and predictability for our taxpayers,” Burkholder said, adding that the city remains committed to supporting nonprofit animal shelters and humane animal control programs such as trap‑neuter‑return and proactive spay/neuter initiatives.
Mayor and council members thanked Burkholder and staff for their work on the issue. The announcement was framed as a management decision and transition plan; no formal final vote or ordinance to terminate the contract was recorded in the committee meeting minutes on Feb. 4.
Next steps noted by council include executing the six‑month extension and developing a transition plan so animal control and sheltering services continue through the extension period while staff explore alternate arrangements or service models.
