Denton council approves $11.8M for animal care and medical maintenance

Denton City Council on Feb. 3 approved roughly $11.8 million for animal care services, medical equipment maintenance and IT contracts, including a staffing contract with Relief Services for Veterinary Practitioners (RSVP) and a maintenance agreement with Stryker.

Denton City Council approved roughly $11.8 million at its Feb. 3 meeting for animal care services, medical equipment maintenance and information technology. The funding covers a new staffing contract at the McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, maintenance for Denton Fire Department medical equipment, and renewal of the city's project management software agreement. Council approved a one-year contract with Relief Services for Veterinary Practitioners (RSVP) that may be extended up to five years for a maximum of $9 million. City documents show a five-year, roughly $1 million contract with Stryker for maintenance of defibrillators, power lifts, stretchers and CPR devices, and about $1.8 million to renew Carahsoft's Procore agreement. Key details: - Council approved about $11.8 million on Feb. 3 for animal care services, medical equipment maintenance and information technology. - The RSVP contract for McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center is for one year with the option to extend up to five years for a maximum of $9 million. - The animal shelter is currently staffed entirely through RSVP, and city officials are exploring hiring veterinarians and vet technicians in-house, Animal Services Director Nikki Sassenus said. - A roughly $1 million, five-year contract with Stryker was approved to maintain and repair Denton Fire Department medical equipment, including defibrillators, power lifts, stretchers and CPR devices, according to city documents. - Officials approved about $1.8 million to renew a contract with Carahsoft for the Procore project management system, which the city first implemented in 2021. Summary: The council's approvals provide funding to continue animal shelter operations, maintain emergency medical equipment, and support the city's capital-project software tools. The immediate steps include beginning the RSVP staffing contract and continued evaluation of bringing veterinary staff in-house; other contract extensions will follow the options and timelines set in the agreements.