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Dawes County approves four-county APHIS predatory-control contract
Summary
The Dawes County Board voted July 22 to accept a four-county predatory animal control contract with APHIS that provides 525 hours of man-time; commissioners discussed cost and coverage and said the contract could be altered later to split counties.
The Dawes County Board of Commissioners voted July 22 to accept a proposed predatory-control contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that covers four counties and includes 525 hours of man-time.
Ryan Powers of APHIS told commissioners the full contract package is more effective because it preserves access to tools and training and avoids limitations that could arise if the contract were parceled out. "We need to be looking at this as wildlife management and not just killing to kill," Powers said, arguing for a targeted, problem‑based approach rather than pursuing high kill counts.
Commissioner Jake Stewart said the county has been without predatory control this year and urged moving forward. The board discussed alternatives, including breaking Dawes and Sioux counties out of the four‑county agreement; Powers estimated a two‑county contract would cost about $64,000 per county. Deputy County Attorney Adam Edmund said a one‑agent arrangement covering two counties would be more sensible for allocating hours and coverage; Sioux County Commissioner J.W. Geiser concurred with Edmund’s assessment.
On a motion by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Walter Juhlin, the board approved the current proposed APHIS contract. Roll call vote: Ayes — Juhlin, Stewart and Rivera; Nays — none. The motion carried.
The board did not set a separate implementation schedule in the meeting minutes; the contract acceptance was recorded and the board adjourned at 10:42 a.m.
