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County proposes raising Libby’s animal-control payment to $25,000 after sheriff’s cost review
Summary
Following a sheriff’s office cost analysis, commissioners instructed staff to take a proposed increase — from $12,000 to $25,000/year — to the City of Libby for negotiation; the estimated total annual cost for county-provided animal-control services was presented as about $49,000.
County staff presented a sheriff’s-office cost analysis showing the annual cost to provide animal-control services in the City of Libby is about $49,000. Commissioners were asked whether the city should increase its yearly payment (recently $12,000) to offset a larger share of those costs.
Staff proposed the county seek $25,000 from Libby — roughly half of the estimated service cost — and asked commissioners to send that proposal to the city for negotiation. The board agreed to have a single point of contact for the negotiation and to keep the item as a standing agenda topic while talks continue. One commissioner noted the county is building a new animal shelter, which will add to costs the county carries.
Why it matters: The county currently funnels animal-control payments into the general fund rather than directly to the sheriff or shelter, and commissioners said the city’s payment has not kept pace with actual service costs. County staff characterized the $25,000 figure as a starting point for negotiation.
Next steps: County staff will approach the City of Libby with the $25,000 proposal and report back; the item will remain on the commission agenda until resolved.
