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Steuben County Council approves $27,000 for Humane Society after heated debate
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Summary
After extended debate over the shelter's operating shortfall and the timing of requests during a budget cycle, the Steuben County Council voted 6-1 to appropriate $27,000 from CEDIT to the Humane Society to carry it through the end of 2015.
The Steuben County Council voted on March 23, 2015 to appropriate $27,000 from the County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) fund to the Steuben County Humane Society to cover operations through the end of 2015. The motion, made by Councilman Jim Getz and seconded by Councilwoman Ruth Beer, carried six ayes to one nay.
The request brought to the council had been passed from the county commissioners and originally sought $44,530. Council members debated whether to provide a short-term infusion now and address any larger increase through the 2016 budget process. "As a council we have an obligation to the taxpayers of Steuben County," Jim Getz said, while adding his personal support for the shelter: "I am totally, fully and utterly on the side of the Humane Shelter." Getz said he wanted the shelter to continue serving the Town of Fremont and the entire county through the end of the year so municipalities could decide on their budgets for 2016.
Councilman Wil Howard summarized his review of the shelter's finances and expressed concern about the timing and tone of the shelter's requests. Howard said the shelter had run about a $20,000 deficit over the last two years and that he had received complaints and "ultimatums" from shelter leadership. "The Shelter is calling for operating revenue of $349,023, which represents a 54% increase over the 2014 budget," Howard said, arguing the county should be cautious mid-cycle.
Other members framed the decision around county fiscal constraints and the role of a nonprofit. Linda Hansen urged improved communications and said larger funding decisions should be addressed during the regular budget cycle. Ken Shelton emphasized the shelter's status as a not-for-profit and expressed reluctance to have county government subsidize private operations long term, while acknowledging the shelter provides a service the county would otherwise need to arrange.
The council attached a service condition to the appropriation: the shelter must provide services to all Steuben County residents. Council President Richard Shipe said any increase beyond 2015 would be considered during the 2016 budget process.
The action provides the Humane Society an immediate stop-gap but leaves unresolved longer-term questions about the shelter's budget and whether municipal partners will increase their support in 2016.