City to handle animals on its own

City Administrator Joe Turner asked the council for feedback as he presented a report on the animal control services for the city and recommended that Sedgwick terminate its contract with the City of Halstead and Animal Control Officer (ACO).

The agreement began about twenty years ago, allowing up to $14,000 annually to be paid to the ACO and $5,000 in annual miscellaneous expenses.

“Over the last few years for a variety of reasons, ACO duties which once included proactive patrolling have transitioned to an as needed, per call basis,” Turner wrote in his report to the council. “Consequently, the cost per call and hour of service have skyrocketed.”

(Read more: Harvey County Now)