JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Minot Police Chief Michael Frye presents information to the Minot City Council about the city’s temporary pound operation Monday, June 15. At left is council member Lisa Olson.

Two animal rescue operations submitted proposals to provide the City of Minot with pound services, and both were accepted by the Minot City Council Monday, June 15, despite the projected cost.

In its proposal, Animal Empowerment League (AEL) offered pricing options ranging from $270,240 to $363,290 annually. Hairball Haven’s proposal is largely based on usage. Preliminary estimates from the police department project a cost of about $92,265, bringing the total cost between the two to as much as $455,555. The city has $200,000 budgeted for a pound.

The council also approved a lease of $3,400 a month to rent a warehouse from Trinity Health to serve as a pound. Neither AEL nor Hairball Haven have facilities that could serve as a pound, but they are proposing to care for the animals.

The city currently has an agreement with Ward County through Aug. 31 to use a county highway department building to house dogs. It has an agreement with AEL to care for the dogs and also for any exotic animals. A temporary agreement with Hairball Haven provides for cat services.

Police Chief Michael Frye reported the temporary pound has taken in 101 dogs in the past three months and Hairball Haven has housed 90 cats for the city.

The council approved acceptance of the Trinity lease and AEL’s and Hairball’s latest proposals, which would be subject to further negotiation before contract adoption. The vote was 5-2 vote with council members Paul Pitner and Lisa Olson opposed.

Pitner had advocated for rebidding pound services and for investigating the cost of a city owned and operated pound. His motion failed 3-4, with support from Olson and Mayor Mark Jantzer.

Pitner said discontinuing service with Souris Valley Animal Shelter last January and seeking new proposals was sold as a way to save money.

“I don’t know how a $300,000 budget increase for pound services is a cost savings,” he said.

“This is going to cost us five to six police officer positions as far as funding,” he said, citing cost information from Frye.

Council member Rob Fuller proposed a voluntary dog and cat licensing program that would offset a third to half of the cost, while also working to reduce the numbers of animals impounded.

The city has licensing but the cost is $5-$15 per pet and hasn’t been updated for years, City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim reported. Blessum presented a motion directing staff to develop pet licensing and a pound fee structure that would move the city toward solvency, which passed 7-0.