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Sedan council tables proposed service agreement and funding request from local animal shelter
Summary
The Sedan City Council on Aug. 20 tabled a proposed service agreement with Friends of CQ CO Animal Shelter and a request for $1,400 this year and $6,500 annually pending city attorney review; council discussed euthanasia policy, county contributions and shelter capacity.
The Sedan City Council on Aug. 20 agreed to table consideration of a service agreement and funding request from Friends of CQ CO Animal Shelter until the city attorney completes a review.
Marlene Wells, representing the shelter, presented a draft service agreement and asked the city for $1,400 to cover the remainder of 2024 and $6,500 annually thereafter, which she said represents roughly 10% of the shelter’s budget. Wells told the council the shelter accepts Chautauqua County animals and handles animals countywide when residents surrender them; it does not accept surrendered dogs in all circumstances and does not take feral cats. She said the shelter’s donors support a no-kill policy and that, in cases where a veterinarian determines an animal does not have a reasonable quality of life, the shelter would humanely euthanize the animal.
Councilmember Angela Evans asked whether the shelter had approached the county for additional funding; Wells said the county currently contributes $5,750 and that shelter leaders plan to request an increase to $6,500. Wells compared funding arrangements in nearby municipalities: she said the City of Barnsdall pays about $6,000 a year plus holding fees, while larger cities that own shelter buildings provide larger sums.
Mayor Bryan Blankinship asked what the shelter would do with animals that are not adoptable. Wells said staff would try to place animals with rescuers equipped to care for them; she emphasized the shelter’s no-kill status and said changing that policy would risk losing donors.
City Clerk Lana Robinson told the council the service agreement draft had been forwarded to the city attorney for review. Councilmember Adam Clark moved to table the agreement until the attorney provides guidance; Sharon Payne seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Next steps: the council will revisit the agreement after the city attorney’s review; the draft service agreement and the shelter’s funding request will remain on a future agenda.
