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Lincoln County will invite Libby officials to discuss animal-control contract after proposed increase
Summary
County staff reported the City of Libby raised its animal-control contribution to $15,000; commissioners agreed to invite Libby’s mayor or council to a county meeting to negotiate commitments and clarify the contract rather than immediately accept or drop the contract.
Commissioners discussed a proposed change to the county’s animal-control contract with the City of Libby and agreed to invite Libby officials to a county meeting to negotiate the terms and clarify commitment levels.
Jim told the board he had spoken with Sam Sykes, the City of Libby administrator, and said Libby had increased its contribution to $15,000 from a much smaller prior figure. "It went from 125 to 15,000," Jim said in the meeting record. Commissioners said the $15,000 increase fell short of a $25,000 request and debated whether to accept the lower figure, continue negotiations, or drop the contract.
Several commissioners said they wanted a clear annual commitment in the contract so the county could plan—one commissioner noted past payments of $4,000 from PILT for related costs and asked whether Libby would make recurring commitments or provide token amounts. The board concluded that inviting Libby’s mayor and city council to a public meeting would help clarify expectations; staff was directed to schedule and formally invite Libby representatives.
No formal motion to accept or terminate the existing contract was made; the action taken was to request Libby officials attend a future meeting for direct negotiation.
Staff and commissioners acknowledged budget constraints and emphasized the value of maintaining animal-control services while seeking clearer contractual commitments from Libby.
