May 30, 2001
Humane Society closer to handling Dog Warden's job
By Erik Burriss
Staff Writer
In addition to housing the county's stray dogs, the Humane Society of Seneca County soon may be picking them up.
The Seneca County Board of Commissioners agreed -- in principle -- to the privatization of the county dog warden's duties Tuesday morning.
"This is a very preliminary step," County Commissioner Ken Estep said.
The county commissioners had been considering building their own animal shelter instead of contributing money to the Humane Society's proposed new shelter. The Humane Society had asked the county for $300,000.
"Our goal is to do what needs to get done so they don't build a pound," said Deb Spurck, president of the Humane Society board of trustees.
Privatization would eliminate the duplication of effort that would result if the county and Humane Society operate shelters, County Commissioner Tom Distel said.
Distel, Spurck and County Administrator Bob Anderson are to meet Monday to begin working on the details of a contract between the county and the Humane Society.
"We'll make every effort to make the transition easier," Spurck said. "It's good news and hopefully the constituents see it that way."
Among the issues to be sorted out would be just how much the county would pay the Humane Society.
"It will have to be done within the dog-and-kennel fund," Commissioner Jeff Wagner said.
Dog-and-kennel money cannot be used for general fund purposes, so privatization will effect other county services, Distel said.
When the Humane Society first proposed the move on May 7, Spurck said the dog license fee -- which supports the dog-and-kennel fund -- should be raised from $9 to $13.
"No general fund money would go to support this," Distel said.
The fate of the two people in the dog warden's office will also have to be decided.
"We will not enter into a contract until we can protect our employees," Anderson said.