Council receives animal control update

The animal control task force is making progress and will soon be looking for support from local government units.

At its meeting Monday, Portland City Council heard an update on the task force, which was formed to look at ways to improve the county’s animal control policies. 

It also learned about a planned investment by Tyson Mexican Original. 

The 18-member animal control task force has met every month since February and includes representatives from local government, law enforcement, Jay County Humane Society and Midwest Pet Refuge. Its goal is to come up with ideas to restructure the county’s animal control system.

Currently, Jay County pays the Fields family $43,000 a year — with the city kicking in an additional $15,000 — for animal control in the county. The family houses animals in a facility on its private property. Jay County Humane Society’s building, which was built to hold 24 animals, does not receive support from local government. Both facilities are often overcrowded and lack adequate resources. 

The task force’s vision for the county includes comprehensive, county-wide animal control ordinances that are enforced and a centralized facility with trained staff for housing animals, member Julie Forcum told council. Residents need to be educated about the laws, and responsible animal owners’ rights must be protected. 

“We want our county to be recognized for its humane treatment of animals,” Forcum said. 

While the group is still finalizing its recommendations, a draft of proposed animal care and control ordinance updates will be ready soon. 

“Your support is crucial to our success,” Forcum said. “What does your support mean? I’ll be able to tell you more as soon as we get everything figured out.” 

Also on Monday, council dealt with several items on its agenda related to tax abatements. 

Tyson Mexican Original, owned by Tyson Foods, is planning to install X-ray equipment to help detect foreign material in its products. The project is estimated to cost more than $1.7 million and should begin in October. It’s eligible for a three-year abatement. Council sent the request to the city’s tax abatement advisory committee. 

Also approved was a three-year tax abatement for Fisher Packing Co., which is installing new coolers, refrigeration equipment, a carcass rail system and processing equipment. The $500,000 project, slated to begin next month, will create four new jobs. 

Finally, council members approved tax abatement compliance forms from several local businesses. MSSL Wiring Systems submitted both a form and an assessment appeal, which is not allowed, so its compliance form was approved on the contingency that the company drop its appeal. 

In other business, council members Judy Hedges, Janet Powers, Bill Gibson, Judy Aker, Michele Brewster, Kent McClung and Don Gillespie: 

•Signed fire contracts for 2020 with Jefferson Township for $2,500 (a $500 increase from 2018), Greene Township for $14,572, Wayne Township for $62,830 and Pike Township for $9,270 (all 2.5-percent increases from last year). 

•Reminded Portland residents that the street department is not able to collect large items during regular trash pickup after the city’s switch to East Central Recycling. The city is working on a pickup schedule, but in the meantime residents are responsible for disposing of their large items. 

•Approved creating a no parking zone on the north side of Elder Street on Aug. 17 in front of Family Worship Center. The church is hosting a concert and the band needs to park its bus in front of the building.

•Heard that R&B Architects and community developer Ami Huffman will present highlights of Portland’s downtown revitalization plan at an upcoming council meeting.