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Committee authorizes three-year animal-control contract with Hart; several fees to rise
Summary
Brainerd City’s personnel and finance committee authorized a three‑year service agreement with Hart covering Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028. Key fee changes include increasing the impound fee to $18/day, administrative fee to $180 per capita, and quarantine to $75/day.
The Brainerd City personnel and finance committee voted to authorize a three‑year animal‑control service agreement with Hart covering Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.
The finance director told the committee that the proposed contract adjusts multiple fees that had not changed in several years. Under the agreement, the impound fee would increase to $18 per day (previously $17 since January 2018), the administrative fee would be set at $180 per capita using the 2020 census population, and the quarantine daily charge would rise to $75 (previously $50 since 2012). The director said the city has historically checked billing addresses and that Hart had not asked for an increase in recent years.
Committee members asked about total annual costs for animal control and Hart services; staff said recent combined costs have been about $50,000 per year. Members discussed alternatives raised during the meeting — including rescue organizations and travel time impacts — and noted licensing differences (the city licenses dogs but not cats). Staff said the administrative fee is already included in the proposed budget and that other fees are budgeted based on historical use; additional budget adjustments were not adopted at the meeting.
A motion to authorize signature of the Hart contract was moved and seconded, put to a voice vote and carried. The committee’s vote authorizes staff to finalize the agreement and implement the new fee schedule under the contract’s stated term.
