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Humane Society asks Hamilton County for $1.9 million and urges prompt contract talks
Summary
The Humane Society of Hamilton County told commissioners it needs a bigger county allocation and a new contract after exercising a termination option in its 1999 animal-control agreement.
The Humane Society of Hamilton County asked the Hamilton County Commission for a $1.9 million annual allocation and urged officials to begin negotiating a new contract to cover animal-control services.
Jim Kennedy, a board member of the Humane Society, told the commission the nonprofit is the county’s contract vendor for animal control and shelter services and that it has been operating under a 1999 agreement. He said the organization now covers 74% of the county’s animal-control intake while the county’s current allocation covers “a little less than 23%” of the shelter’s revenue.
Dr. Tye Federico, interim executive director of the Humane Society, said the group exercised an option last August to terminate the 1999 agreement so the parties could negotiate a contract timed to the 2026 fiscal year. “To date, no contract has been discussed,” Dr. Federico said, and he asked that the county place contract negotiations “on our respective calendars as soon as possible.”
The presenters provided specific operational metrics to support the request: HES reported 402 active volunteers who logged more than 21,000 volunteer hours last year, 381 foster families who sheltered about 1,800 animals, and a live outcome rate of 93% at its Foy Center location. HES said the “value” of services delivered to Hamilton County exceeds $2.7 million annually while the county pays about $843,000 now. The $1.9 million request would, HES said, cover roughly half of shelter expenses while the county accounts for 74% of caseload.
Kennedy and Dr. Federico noted HES has largely depleted its reserve funds and that, without increased support, it cannot continue providing current service levels indefinitely. Dr. Federico emphasized his interim role and said he returned from retirement without compensation to lead negotiations and operations.
The Humane Society invited commissioners to tour the Foy Center and said it has pledged to increase private fundraising to more than $1.6 million. The presenters stopped short of describing any immediate service cutoffs but said maintaining the shelter’s no-kill status depends on adequate funding and a new contract.
The commission did not take a vote on funding during the presentation. Commissioners and staff indicated they will receive the county budget on a later date and continue discussions as the budget process proceeds.
