CLINTON —
Discussions between Clinton officials and the Clinton Humane Society will continue as the agency seeks to nearly double the subsidy it currently receives.
City Attorney Jeff Farwell provided information to Internal Operations Committee members Tuesday that showed the fees for the Humane Society are rising 17 percent, but the agency has requested the subsidy it receives from the city to go up by 84 percent from $65,000 to $120,000 in their next contract.
“The shelter is really going to go bankrupt dealing with the city if we don’t get this increase,” Humane Society Operations Manager Sandi Bartels said.
Before IOC members discussed the subsidy at their Tuesday meeting, Clinton Mayor Mark Vulich told them he thought the request was outrageous.
“Considering the already heavy tax burden on the citizens and major cutbacks the city has made in the past year, this rate request is an item that as mayor I will veto if passed by the City Council,” Vulich wrote in a memo to Council members.
Humane Society Board member Tammy Olsen and Humane Society employee Jessica Alvarez also attended the meeting, unaware of Vulich’s strong opposition to their funding request.
“If that’s actually the case, I don’t think there’s any sense in us continuing,” Olsen said. “We would like to sit down to talk to you and let you know why we need money, but when the mayor has made such a strong statement about vetoing this, is there any need to go further?”
Farwell also presented the committee members with information on what the city would need to run the services on its own, instead of outsourcing through the humane society.
According to Iowa code, the city is required to take care of animals running at large without rabies shots, but does not have to take care of abused or neglected animals.
Committee members, however, expressed concern over taking over the services.
Instead, they stated more information was needed, including how other comparable cities handle animal control. Further talks between the group and Farwell are also necessary, committee members advised.
Still, committee member Paul Gassman warned the Humane Society representatives to err on the side of caution as they approach their contract renewal.
“I think you already see the handwriting on the wall with the mayor, that he would just veto it. You’d have to take your chances to see if the Council would support the veto or not,” Gassman said.
The IOC will revisit the item in December.
Local News
November 22, 2012
Humane society seeks more from city
- Local News
-
-
Committee looking for new Camanche City Hall location
A committee has agreed to look at alternative locations for Camanche City Hall.
-
CVB director hiring announced
A new director has been hired to lead the Clinton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
-
City creates demolition list
City officials are looking at different properties that need to be demolished throughout the city and soon will consider a new ordinance they hope will deter the need for future nuisance building demolition.
- No one injured in morning fire CLINTON — No one was injured in an early morning fire at Hawthorne Woods Apartments, 1241 Gateway. The Clinton Fire Department was dispatched at 1:23 a.m. today for smoke and fire in a bedroom of a multi-family apartment complex. According to a press
-
City forced to cut $1.1M from budget
CLINTON -- The city of Clinton is scrambling to cut more than $1.1 million from next year's budget because of a settlement that was reached between the Clinton Board of Review and Archer Daniels Midland. As part of a settlement that ADM and the Cli
-
Railport: Clinton, CRDC work on future process
CLINTON — With the first rail-served tenants moving in, officials with the city of Clinton, McClure Engineering and the Clinton Regional Development Corp. met Tuesday to discuss the future of the Lincolnway Railport.
- Proposal to write off sewer debt moves forward CLINTON — The city finance director will have the ongoing authority to write off sewer bills from finalled accounts as long as the balance is under $10, members of the Internal Operations Committee decided Tuesday. City Finance Director and interim C
- Board examines congestion at schools FULTON, Ill. -- Potential congestion around the River Bend middle and elementary schools is being discussed by the River Bend Board of Education. The board discussed drop-off policies during Monday's meeting. The district decided in March to eliminat
-
Energized savings
CLINTON -- It didn't happen in one day, with one switch or with one person, but through a concerted effort, the Clinton School District has saved more than $2 million by utilizing energy-efficient practices. The Clinton Community School District was
-
Fitness club is expanding
CLINTON — Less than two years after opening, the Iron Horse Fitness Club is more than tripling their space by moving to the former Rodeo Saloon and Feedhouse. Owners Ashley and Brad Gendreau, 31, of Thomson, Ill., will move by August from the locatio
- More Local News Headlines
-
Committee looking for new Camanche City Hall location
