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COF still working on budget fix

By Doug Barrett Jan 31, 2024 | 8:48 AM

More staff cuts are coming to Circle of Friends following a special board meeting last night (Tuesday).

The latest employee reductions are designed to further position the animal shelter to close a budget gap that resulted in the elimination of its CEO last week and closure of the Adoption Center on South Washington.

The Grand Forks council is expected to review the current contract for services with COF next week. The options include going to a monthly agreement and the potential of an RFP for long range planning. Mayor Brandon Bochenski says the shelter has served as the city’s animal pound for 40 years and there is a path forward.

The proposed contract calls for the city to pay COF $198,625 dollars in 2024 with a cap of $250 dollars for care per animal without prior authorization.

Earlier this week COF revised their adoption policy as a result of “constrained” space for housing animals. Those include reserving a pet in advance in case no owner emerges. After a four days stay the animal is available for adoption.

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