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The request was generated because of several pressing needs at the
county-run facility that have not and cannot be afforded in past or
future budgets. In particular they want to replace dog cages, fix an
ongoing roof leak and replace the truck that is used on calls.
The same as for everyone, future energy expenses are also a
concern.
Revenues to operate the facility are generated from animal
licenses, violation and adoption fees, and by contracts to
municipalities. The county has been filling the gap between revenues
raised from those sources and expenses. Whatever the facility comes
up short is paid out of the county general fund each year.
Hasprey has been working closely with new warden Julie Parker and
new administrator Dr. Michael Sanborn for the last few months.
Together they have managed to reduce overall operating expenses.
They have also been working with and had assistance from two new
animal groups, Logan County Humane Society and Pets Without Parents.
The facility is not a "no kill" operation, but working with these
groups has allowed them to be able to save more animals without
adding to the costs.
New animal control committee chairman Vickie Hasprey did a
six-month cost study examining the facilities expenditures and
revenue. In particular she looked at where the costs were created
and who was contributing to those costs.
As part of the study the committee looked at the monthly report
that includes details of how many animals are picked up or brought
in to the facility and where those animals come from.
There is a legal debate as to just what the county liability is
to provide animal control services. It appears that the Illinois
state statute requires the county to provide services to
unincorporated areas. It is questioned exactly what their obligation
to municipalities should be. Currently, the county offers services
to municipalities by contract.
The study revealed that 79 percent of the costs for services are
attributable to the city of Lincoln. This would constitute a 58
percent increase over what they are currently paying.
Hasprey sent the request for the increase to the city of Lincoln
and then attended their sanitation committee meeting earlier this
month to explain the need.
The city has not reached a decision on whether they would accept
the requested increase.
During the Sept. 19 county board meeting several board members
expressed support for the change of municipality contract fees. John
Stewart, Pat O'Neill and Dale Voyles complimented the work that is
being done by the staff and committee to maintain quality and
continue to improve the facility. This is a committee that works
hard and gets few pats on the back when they do good things, Voyles
said.
Former county animal control committee chairman Pat O'Neill said
that there has been some misinformation circulating to the public
that he would like to see cleared up. One of those issues is that
the roof has been leaking for years and needs to get fixed. Also
there are enormous fuel and energy expenses, some that are not known
yet, to be concerned about.
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 He and Stewart said that they would also like a written statement
from the Logan County state's attorney about what the county's legal
obligation is to provide services to the municipalities.
Animal control falls under the Department of Agriculture. It was
suggested that perhaps they should be contacted for an opinion about
the legal issue as well.
Stewart asked that the finance committee chairman, Chuck Ruben,
bring the animal control budget back to a positive balance, rather
than show a negative accumulated expense every year. Ruben agreed
that this needs doing.
Stewart also commented that the city might consider what it would
cost if they were paying the $80 each it costs to pick up a dog.
"They better take what they can get," he said.
Voyles delivered a lengthy a synopsis of the animal control and
the challenges it has posed since the county took over control in
1985. We basically had it dropped in our lap, he said. He highly
praised the recent past committee chaired by O'Neill and the current
effort led by Hasprey for their efforts to "elevate animal control
to a new level." They are looking how to provide the citizens of the
city of Lincoln, Logan County and other municipalities with the
quality of animal control they deserve, he said.
He said that the dog cages have not been replaced, as someone
recently claimed, and that they are badly gnarled and long overdue
for replacement.
The 58 percent increase [to the Lincoln contract] is an accurate
representation of their costs according to the study that was done,
Voyles said. "There is no reason that New Holland, Emden or any
other community should have to pay for costs created by another
municipality," he said.
Voyles emphasized that the figures derived from the study are the
truth, and you can't argue with the truth.
"If they [Lincoln] can't pay it, maybe it's time for them to
figure out how they're going to do their animal control. We're glad
to do it, but we've got to do it right," he said.
"People in the county deserve quality animal control, good people
to work there and we're trying to do that," he said. The committee
is "trying to bring animal control facility into the current
century, do what's right for animals and do what's right for the
communities," he said.
[Jan
Youngquist]
Note: Pets Without Parents has an adoption activity planned at
Latham Park on Saturday.
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