LaSalle County committee approves feral-cat feeding ban, discusses IVAR kennel contract and administrator role

The LaSalle County Public Safety Committee voted to adopt a resolution prohibiting the feeding of feral cats in unincorporated areas and directing any fines to Fund 55, the county animal-control fund. Committee members also reviewed a proposed agreement with IVAR for boarding stray animals and discussed changes to the county fee schedule and the animal-control administrator’s proposed reduction in administrative duties.

The committee approved the feral-cat feeding resolution after a motion by Joanne and a second by Ray; Chairman Brian Dose said fines under the resolution would be placed into Fund 55 to support animal-control operations. Dose told the committee he had "asked state attorneys to write up a resolution, and specifically make sure that we're not going after cats on farms." The motion carried with all members voting in favor.

Animal-control administrator (referred to in the meeting as "Doc") outlined a proposed IVAR arrangement intended to expand options for housing stray animals. Under the proposal, IVAR would charge $50 per…