NEW CUMBERLAND – Hancock County Commissioners are making a second attempt at finding a non-profit organization to manage the county’s animal shelter.

During their meeting Thursday, commissioners opted to take no action on an agenda item asking them to consider action on bids received for the management of the Hancock County Animal Shelter.

After receiving no motion on the agenda item, commissioners then voted 3-0 to approve, once again, advertising for a Request for Proposal on the operation and management of the shelter.

The commission previously had sought proposals, which had been due Aug. 14, but, according to Commission President Eron Chek, the county received only one qualified bid.

Chek said she believes one issue was a smaller timeframe available for any interested group as part of the last round of bids, with it originally approved July 24, a pre-bid meeting set on Aug. 8 and the proposals due six days later.

“We’re giving more time,” she said, noting a planned timeline from Sept. 8 to Sept. 22.

She opted not to discuss details of the previous bid process, saying it could give an advantage to any new potential bidders.

Under the original RFP, the commission sought “proposals from qualified offerors to manage and operate the Hancock County Animal Shelter to include all necessary buildings, structures, grounds, spaces and equipment, as well as animal shelter services as may be necessary to receive, maintain, care for and provide for the appropriate disposition of all domestic animals that fall within the legal authority of the Hancock County Commission.”

Managerial functions under the proposal would include “animal collection and disposition, providing for building security and building and ground maintenance, providing lost and found and adoption services, public reception and assistance, sponsor humane education programming, receiving calls and complaints, accounting for all animals surrendered by Humane Officer(s), maintaining records for euthanasia materials and other drugs or medicines, maintaining financial records on revenues and expenditures, complying with all applicable laws and regulations relating to animal shelter operations.”

The selected organization also would provide services such as health evaluations, medical attention, food and water, the administration of preventative medicine and vaccinations, the cleaning of kennels and cages and other animal spaces, grooming, euthanasia – when necessary – and other related work.

Any organization selected would operate the shelter through a memorandum of understanding with the county commission, with a lease agreement for use of the shelter.

Those documents would be reviewed annually.

In addition, the commission would hold a non-voting seat on any board governing the management provider.