ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor is making plans to kill up to 150 more deer in January during the city's fourth-annual deer cull.

Before that, the city plans to conduct another round of nonlethal sterilizations of female deer to surgically remove their ovaries, continuing a two-pronged approach to population control.

The sterilizations are expected to take place at the end of this month to avoid being done in the middle of winter again.

The City Council voted 8-2 Thursday night, Nov. 8, to approve more than $182,000 in continued spending on deer management, while extending a contract with White Buffalo Inc. through June 2020.

The city has contracted with White Buffalo for the past two years to carry out the annual wintertime shooting of deer mainly in city parks and nature areas, as well as ovariectomy procedures permitted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The city's deer management program has been controversial over the years, leading to protests, legal debates and lawsuits shortly after being originally launched in January 2016.

Mayor Christopher Taylor and Council Member Chip Smith, D-5th Ward, were the only two members of council opposed to the continued spending on deer management Thursday night.

The city's deer management costs have totaled $622,675 over the last few years, including $555,887 in net costs to the city and $66,788 in donations and contributions from other sources.

The results of that spending are 274 deer killed and 72 surgically sterilized, as well as data collected, according to the city.

Smith argued the city should be putting its money toward taking action to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

The City Council recently debated funding a climate action work plan proposed by the city's new sustainability director, postponing the matter until new council members are seated on Nov. 19.

The $313,000 overall proposal includes $200,000 for solar panels and other upgrades to create net-zero affordable housing through the Ann Arbor Housing Commission.

Smith tried unsuccessfully Thursday night to postpone consideration of the $182,000 for deer management until Nov. 19. He said he wanted to give the new council a chance to consider spending priorities and weigh deer management against climate action, but a majority of council members weren't in favor of postponing.

Council Members Sumi Kailasapathy, D-1st Ward, and Jane Lumm, an independent from the 2nd Ward, argued continuing the deer management program is important.

Lumm said the adverse impacts of deer overabundance have been well documented.

Kailasapathy argued deer-browse damage to trees in the city's natural areas is an environmental issue affecting forest regeneration, and she believes protecting parks and natural areas is one of the most important things the city can do for the environment.

Smith characterized deer management as a "nice to have" program, while saying a climate-action program is a "must have."