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County and Humane Society negotiate repayment of $105,826 utilities oversight after lease transfer error
Summary
County staff told Council the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette owes $105,826 in utility charges accrued after utilities were not switched to the tenant following an August 2024 lease; the nonprofit requested a $5,000/month repayment plan and commissioners will formalize terms and request insurance documentation required by the lease.
County staff reported May 12 that the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette — the nonprofit leasing the county-owned former extension office that houses the animal shelter — owed the county $105,826.38 for utilities (water, sewer, electric, gas and camera monitoring) stemming from an administrative oversight: the utilities were not switched to the tenant’s name after the Aug. 1, 2024 lease began.
Shelter and county representatives told council the shelter board requested a repayment plan to avoid a lump-sum payment. Staff described a proposed schedule of $5,000 per month, which would take approximately 21 months to retire the balance. County counsel and commissioners said a written repayment agreement should be executed (the lease is with the commissioners) and asked staff to verify required insurance documents listed in the lease (general liability, property, workers’ compensation, professional liability and auto) before finalizing terms.
Council members asked staff to limit the repayment period to the current and next fiscal years if possible, requested the insurance certificates and confirmed that utilities have been or are being transferred to the shelter’s name. County staff said the oversight was inadvertent and that some back charges had been processed; commissioners will work with the Humane Society to formalize the repayment schedule.
No formal council action was required; the matter will be resolved administratively with a written repayment agreement handled by the commissioners.
