Board seeks additional part‑time support and ordinance change to reimburse outside kennels

Michigan City Animal Control Board members said Sept. 24 that they have requested a part‑time hire to provide additional weekend coverage and have asked the city attorney to review adding outside kennels to the municipal reimbursement ordinance.

Board members reported an outstanding request to human resources and to the mayor for a part‑time position to ease weekend staffing. Chairperson Dave Cooney said the request is under consideration in the city budget process and that the board has a meeting later the same day to continue those budget discussions.

Separately, staff told the board they have asked the city attorney to draft language adding a local partner kennel (for example, Lake Shore Paws in Valparaiso was discussed) to the existing ordinance so the city can reimburse partner organizations for holding animals. The board said the change would be added to the ordinance and, if approved, would take effect after ordinance adoption; staff said they hope to have the addition in place by January but no ordinance or appropriation was adopted at the Sept. 24 meeting.

Board members also spoke about potential pay parity for animal control officers and acknowledged ongoing coordination with the mayor and budget staff to address compensation concerns; members said the issue is on city budget and mayoral agendas and that progress is expected in the coming months.

No formal hiring or ordinance changes were approved at the meeting; board members asked staff to continue coordination with HR, the city attorney and the mayor and to report updates at future meetings.