Minot council approves six-month lease and two emergency animal‑service contracts to expand pound capacity

The Minot City Council on Feb. 20 approved a six‑month lease with Ward County and two emergency service agreements intended to increase the city’s capacity to house stray and sheltered animals while officials prepare a longer-term procurement process.

The council voted to accept a county-owned facility on a zero-dollar lease that runs through Aug. 31, with the city responsible for restoring the building to its prior condition at the end of the term. Police leadership told the council the city expects some initial facility work — including re‑epoxying floors — and modest equipment and security costs. “The agreement is for 6 months… It’ll end Aug. 31,” the Police Chief said, adding the city expects a roughly $5,000 cost for floor restoration and about $1,100 for security cameras.

Alongside the lease, council members approved two separate service contracts. One agreement covers cat care with a private provider described in the meeting as…