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Committee backs renewal of Humane Society lease with Sheriff's Office
Summary
The Ways & Means Committee recommended renewal of a multi-year lease between the Manistee County Sheriff's Office and the Manistee County Humane Society; the packet includes a Humane Society letter proposing stepped rent increases tied to operating-cost pressures.
Sheriff Brian Gutowski presented a proposed renewal of the Humane Society lease with the Manistee County Sheriff's Office, describing the arrangement as longstanding and operationally useful for animal control services. The Humane Society's March 16, 2026 letter (Appendix D) said rent had not changed since 2019 while citing increases in minimum wage, utilities and waste removal; the letter proposed a three-year rent schedule with year-one monthly payment of $3,587.50 (5% increase), year-two $3,731.00 (4% increase) and year-three $3,842.93 (3% increase).
After discussion the committee recommended approval of the lease renewal as presented; the motion was moved by Jeffrey Dontz and seconded by Richard Schmidt and recorded as carried (Ayes: All). The packet includes the 2019 contract outlining leased space, responsibilities for utilities and staffing expectations.
