One day after the Vermilion County Board Property Committee discussed possibilities for the Vermilion County Animal Shelter, a previously scheduled meeting between city and county officials on the shelter’s future and financing took place.
On the financing side, the county has been stating for a long time that the city of Danville is paying only about ten percent of the budget for the shelter, while well over 50 percent of the calls for animal service are within the city of Danville. Following Tuesday night’s (Aug 19th) Danville City Council meeting, Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr stated that the city and county are continuing to make counter-proposals, and he believes that a settlement, at least a starting settlement, will be reached.
AUDIO: We had proposed some solutions to the county, previously. They’ve proposed some to us. And I think that we’re getting to a place where we at least have a short term agreement on how we might move forward.
But when it comes to what the future location will be for the Vermilion County Animal Shelter, Mayor Williams says that part is completely in the county’s hands. Monday night’s Property Committee meeting had Paw-a-day Inn K9 Suites owner Tony Piatt offering his facility to the county for $2.8 million. But County Board Chairman Steve Miller is leaning towards a pledged donation from an anonymous entity for a brand new structure; to replace the old structure on Catlin-Tilton Road. Williams says, from what he understands, Paw-a-day Inn K9 Suites would need some work.
AUDIO: From my understanding, they would have to add on to the facility in order to make it possible. So, you’re looking at $5 million; and if the county sees that that’s a great option, then they should explore it. I don’t care where the animal shelter is located, as long as a couple of things happen. Number one; that we provide humane, quality care for the animals that are with us; and that we have a safe facility for them, and the folks who work there and volunteer there.
The mayor also listed doing those things efficiently for the taxpayer as a top priority.
