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Animal shelter interim director asks for food increase and staffing changes; commissioners approve modest boost
Summary
Jacob Beine, interim director of the LaPorte County Animal Shelter, asked commissioners to increase food funding and consider converting part‑time kennel staff to a full‑time position to improve retention; commissioners approved raising the food line to $5,500 and directed the director to return with staffing requests for 100‑series items.
Jacob Beine, interim director of the LaPorte County Animal Shelter, told commissioners on July 15 that the shelter has organizational changes underway and asked for modest line‑item increases and attention to staffing shortages. Beine said the shelter is short‑staffed and that part‑time recruitment and retention have been challenges; he proposed raising the food line from $4,500 to $5,500 to cover needs.
Commissioners discussed converting several part‑time kennel positions into one full‑time kennel attendant to improve retention and operational continuity. "If we're fully staffed, then I have enough staff to cover those areas," Beine said, noting he came from a larger shelter and is assessing how to structure roles locally. Commissioners suggested raising part‑time pay rates and asked Beine to return with a formal request for any 100‑series staffing changes.
The board approved the food-line increase by voice vote and encouraged the director to bring a staffing proposal in the next meeting. Commissioners also noted that some hiring requests require coming back as separate 100‑series appropriation items.
What’s next: Shelter leadership will prepare a staffing proposal and any required appropriation requests to address part‑time pay and to convert positions as needed.
