MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - Muskegon County officials plan to discuss two proposals for a new animal shelter and animal control contract after a decision was made to seek bids for a new service provider.
Muskegon County Administrator Mark Eisenbarth said officials received two proposals on Friday, Nov. 9, one of which was issued by Pound Buddies, the county's animal shelter provider since 2010. Pound Buddies' contract expired in September but was extended until the county can sign a new contract.
The other proposal came from Pay It Forward Outreach, a low-cost Muskegon animal clinic located at 1827 W. Sherman Blvd. The clinic was founded in 2009 by veterinarian Dr. Sandra Strandberg. Its employees include Strandberg, Dr. Janice Bohn, paid vet techs, assistants, office staff and volunteers, according to the company's website.
A review team made up of county commissioners, the treasurer's office, the public works department and the sheriff's office was expected to review and score each proposal, Eisenbarth said.
The proposals were to be scored on:
- Ability to perform the service required.
- Experience of the organization and employees.
- Resources currently available to provide services.
- Adherence to the specifications in the request for proposals (RFP).
- References and cost estimates.
The county board's ways and means committee is expected to discuss the proposals when it meets Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. The discussion could be tabled if the review team needs more time to vet the proposals, Eisenbarth said.
Commissioners are tentatively expected to vote on and authorize a new contract on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Administrators have said that they aren't necessarily seeking to save money by securing a new contract. They are looking for the best service provider overall, which could still be Pound Buddies if the review team accepts its proposal.
In addition, the county wants a single contract that covers both animal control and animal shelter services, according to Muskegon County Treasurer Tony Moulatsiotis. While Pound Buddies has operated the shelter for eight years, it took over animal control services in June of this year.
Last year, Pound Buddies received nearly $235,000 for shelter services, which director Lana Carson said only covered about 50 percent of its annual budget.
The decision to seek a new contract sparked a groundswell of concern from patrons and volunteers working with Pound Buddies. Last month, more than 100 people showed up to the county board's regular meeting to protest the decision to seek a new contract.
Several expressed concerns that a potential new provider could embrace euthanasia as a cost-savings means of animal control. It is unclear if that will be the case, especially since the competing bid came from an established veterinary clinic.