Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for Combined Surgical Sterilization and Sharpshooting Management Services for the City's Deer Population ($153,940.00), Amend the FY17 Budget and Appropriate Necessary Funds ($97,795.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Approval is requested to appropriate the necessary funds to contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for combined lethal and non-lethal deer management services under a proposed MDNR combined management research project permit.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Program Funds were budgeted and approved in the amount of $145,000.00 for lethal ($110,000.00) and non-lethal ($35,000.00) program costs. It will be necessary to appropriate additional funding from available General Fund fund balance for the combined management research project services in the amount of $97,795.00.
City Council direction to the Administration direct staff to implement a lethal plan over four years. The City of Ann Arbor conducted the first of a four-year cull during the winter of 2016 in designated City of Ann Arbor parks and nature areas. Staff worked with some self-organized citizen groups during the summer of 2016 to prepare for the winter 2017 program (the 2nd year of the 4 year plan).
In addition, City Council directed staff to explore the viability of a deer fertility control program where effective and cost efficient. The MDNR and community stakeholders were actively engaged in the development of this potential proposal. Fertility control is not currently an authorized permitted activity by the MDNR, but the MDNR has indicated a willingness to consider a research proposal including sterilization. With the assistance of the self-organized citizen groups, staff determined that White Buffalo had experience with both lethal and sterilization programs ad was recognized by the MDNR and citizen groups as a favorable contractor to perform these services.
White Buffalo, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that ...
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