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City says YVAS contract expired; will reissue RFP and pursue short‑term arrangement while staffing shelter
Summary
After Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter’s contract expired June 30 and its proposed price exceeded city budget, staff told council they will reissue an RFP, seek a short‑term month‑to‑month arrangement (council members suggested a 10% temporary cap) and hire temporary employees to run the shelter while a long‑term contractor is selected.
City staff told the council on July 6 that the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) contract expired June 30 and that recent YVAS proposals—one asking for roughly $550,000 per year—exceeded the city’s fiscal capacity. The city immediately assumed operational responsibilities on July 1 and is moving to publish a new RFP and to negotiate an interim month‑to‑month arrangement while the procurement runs.
Staff summary and immediate steps: the city reported it attempted to negotiate with YVAS but that proposals from the shelter took the requested price beyond the city’s budget ceiling. Staff said it will publish the RFP promptly, hire temporary shelter staff (five part‑time positions budgeted at about $18/hour, estimated at $12,000–$13,000 per month for five temps) to maintain operations, and solicit proposals with an aim to award a long‑term contract by November. The police department will continue animal control responsibilities and staff will purchase supplies and contract veterinary services as needed during the interim.
Data, transparency and operations issues: several council members and the public asked for clearer monthly and annual reporting from any contractor who receives city funds, including counts of animals brought in, transfers, euthanasia and licensing numbers. Staff said YVAS historically supplied some reports but cooperation waned in recent years and the city is requesting either the data export or access to the provider’s system so staff can perform reunification, licensing checks and reporting.
Euthanasia and live‑release reporting: council members discussed a recurring confusion: YVAS historically reported a high live‑release percentage, but city staff said some animals that YVAS designates for euthanasia were transferred on paper to city custody and then euthanized by animal control. Council members asked staff to ensure contracts require transparent accounting of outcomes so that reported live‑release rates reflect final disposition rather than paper transfers.
Council direction and funding: several council members urged staff to attempt a short‑term month‑to‑month agreement with YVAS capped near a 10% increase above the current contract while the RFP runs; budget staff said a 10% bump on the current contract level would be manageable for year‑one and that budget adjustments could be worked through budget and finance without cutting core PD services. Council also asked staff to include council representation in the RFP review process and to publish a maximum out‑of‑pocket cap in the procurement documents.
Public comment: dozens of residents spoke in support of YVAS, urged the city to preserve the shelter network and to maintain spay/neuter and reunification services, and expressed concern about staffing and safety at the Monad facility after earlier facility incidents. Staff said the city had requested the return of contract data and would reach out to YVAS to attempt an interim agreement while the RFP process proceeds.
Next steps: staff will publish the RFP, attempt outreach/negotiation with YVAS for a month‑to‑month operating agreement with a modest temporary increase, and report back to council with procurement progress and proposed interim staffing and budget adjustments.
