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Animal shelter budget shows preventive‑maintenance and small wage increases; no large capital requests
Summary
Commissioners reviewed the animal control/shelter budget, which reflects recent facility upgrades, a generator and preventive maintenance contracts. Staff requested modest hourly increases for two part‑time employees and noted that the kennels still need smaller renovations not rising to capital project level.
Charlestown commissioners reviewed the animal control and shelter budget and heard from shelter staff that the newer shelter addition (completed roughly two years prior) has improved operations but carries new operating and maintenance costs. Staff said some legacy kennel sections remain in need of small repairs and preventive maintenance contracts (HVAC, generator) are new recurring costs that did not exist under the prior, smaller facility.
Shelter management asked for a modest wage increase for two part‑time employees (from about $20 to $21 per hour, for 29‑hour weekly schedules) to improve retention. Commissioners discussed the maintenance line (which rose after the facility expansion) and suggested prioritizing small‑scale repairs — hinge and kennel repairs, gates, and preventative checks — from available operating funds rather than waiting for a major capital allocation.
Ending Commissioners signaled support for addressing modest maintenance needs from operating funds. No capital projects were approved in this session; staff will return with any additional justification if larger work is proposed.
