Funding is approved

Plans for a new animal shelter are back.

The county may be committing $275,000 toward the new building.

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to give the group the amount it previously requested after a meeting with Jay County Humane Society representatives and members of the county’s animal control task force. The decision hinges on Jay County Council’s approval next month and the humane society’s ability to raise other necessary funding for the more than $949,000 new facility.

The $275,000 was previously recommended by Jay County Economic Development Income Tax Advisory Committee. Then-commissioners Chuck Huffman, Mike Leonhard and Chad Aker committed the amount last year from Bitter Ridge Wind Farm economic development funds, but the new commissioners group of Brian McGalliard, Rex Journay and Aker rescinded that decision early this year.

Also Monday, commissioners renewed a three-month agreement with the humane society and Midwest Pet Refuge for animal control services.

Bob Taylor of Muncie-based Taylor Architects explained preliminary architectural designs for the animal shelter.

The design for Jay County’s facility has been simplified from its original plans, shrinking the expected construction cost of at least $1.14 million to a minimum of about $949,500. (Building costs alone Taylor varied anywhere from $728,820 to $809,800, depending on rising material prices.) That estimate does not include the cost to acquire new land, as a location has not yet been chosen. The new design leaves room for expansion in the future, if needed.

With designated zones for dogs, cats, staff and animal care and control, the proposed structure would be 4,049 square feet. It would hold 26 dogs and 120 cats, which is about 10 dogs and 80 cats fewer than the original plans.

“This building right now is as vanilla as I think it can be,” Taylor said, who has previously designed three such facilities, noting the concrete floors and walls in most areas.

Currently, the humane society facility at 1313 Shadeland Lane, Portland, only holds 12 dogs and a small number of cats –– Weaver noted the humane society originally intended to house dogs only.

The updated design for the proposed new facility includes three separate heating, ventilation and air conditioning units for dogs, cats and humans. Taylor explained the separate systems are intended to prevent spreading infectious disease.

Aker asked if they could use air scrubbers or a filtering system in order to downsize to fewer HVAC systems. Taylor said the dog and human areas could use a single unit, but he would recommend cats be on a separate system. (Each unit will cost roughly $32,000, he estimated.)

Commissioner Rex Journay questioned the need for 10-foot ceilings, mentioning he has put up hog barns with 8-foot ceilings. Taylor said they could drop the ceilings by 2 feet if desired.

Humane society president Mindy Weaver expressed concern the proposed facility may not be large enough to meet the community’s needs. (She later said she is “scared” it may fill to capacity but is optimistic it can work.) Julie Forcum, animal control task force chair, noted there is room for each side of the building to be expanded in the future.

The discussion came down to funding, with Forcum saying the humane society has raised $106,189 so far toward the construction of a new facility. She wondered out loud if economic development funds from the proposed Skycrest Solar facility could be used for the project.

She requested commissioners commit $500,000 if the humane society could raise the other $450,000 in donations.

All three commissioners questioned contributing that much funding, while Aker acknowledge that the county’s bill could be less if fundraising exceeds $450,000. McGalliard expressed concern about the possibility that the county could potentially sever its contract with the humane society in the future.

“I understand –– we need animal control in this county,” Journay said. “It’s just that, it’s hard for me to understand we’re spending that much money on animal control.”

Aker reverted back to the original idea approved last year, suggesting the county commit $275,000 toward construction of facility and wait to see how the humane society’s fundraising efforts go before considering a larger amount. Commissioners unanimously approved the $275,000, which is now subject to approval by Jay County Council.

Commissioners, Weaver and Forcum also reviewed a draft of a proposed contract between the county and humane society for a countywide animal control service. It would likely be renewed annually, and if terminated, a 60-day notice would be required.

The proposals calls for $55,000 to come from the county for the service annually. Commissioner Brian McGalliard said he has talked with both Portland Mayor John Boggs and Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins and said each city may be open to contributing some of the cost. McGalliard suggested annual contributions of $33,000 from Portland and $12,500 from Dunkirk. (Any contributions from the municipalities would be subject to approval by their city or town council.)

Forcum previously visited local municipalities requesting contributions from each for the facility’s annual budget. (Portland and Dunkirk city councils tabled the issues. Redkey Town Council and Pennville Town Council denied the request.) 

The humane society has said it can raise about $125,000 for annual operating costs, leaving approximately $110,000 to be split between government entities. If Portland and Dunkirk city councils approve the amounts suggested by McGalliard, the humane society would receive $100,500. (Weaver noted operating costs may be less now that the proposed building is smaller.)

The humane society is an “independent contractor,” Forcum explained, meaning the group would still cover its upkeep costs and other expenses. A contract would include payment for its services only. Also, the contract would not begin until plans for the proposed building are solidified or its construction is complete.