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Council holds off on signing humane‑society contract, keeps local options on table
Summary
Staff said the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society contract is under attorney review and recommended using it as a backup; council members cited local options and decided not to sign the agreement tonight.
Council discussed a proposed agreement with the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society to provide animal‑control services as a backup resource. The agency official said the city has been included in the Society's contract and that the city has signed its copy pending attorney review; staff emphasized the Society is intended as a resource, not the city's primary provider.
Council members suggested exploring local alternatives (vets in Beresford, Hayward, Akron) and raised cost and transport concerns for quarantining or euthanasia. One council member said the city would likely only pay upfront temporarily and would attempt to recover costs from owners when appropriate; ultimately the council decided not to sign the contract at this meeting and left the item open for further consideration.
"I've signed it. It's getting reviewed by our attorneys and staff, but we'll send it back and just have them as a resource to reach out to," the agency official said while noting the city tries to stay local whenever possible.
