THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: Retiring 36 Year Vermilion County Sheriff Pat Hartshorn and his wife, Judy, who is also retiring as Vermilion County Juvenile Detention Center Directior; were honored at Tuesday night’s Vermilion County Board meeting for each of their 53 years of service to the county.
DANVILLE — The Vermilion County Board took its next step Tuesday night in constructing a new county animal shelter, in addition to approving an undisclosed settlement with its former director.
A groundbreaking could occur by late spring on a new shelter behind the current one at 14775 Catlin-Tilton Road. Plans are to clear the premises this fall.
The county board authorized a design for a new, updated building of around 12,000 square feet in the wooded area behind the current building, on property the county acquired from the village of Tilton. The current building is just shy of 11,000 square feet.
County Board Chairman Steve Miller said the plan is to build a facility similar to the one in Tazewell County, which was constructed in the last year.
County officials visited that facility in Tremont and liked the highly functional, steel-frame building with cinder-block concrete walls.
“To say that we were overwhelmed with their facility is an understatement,” Miller said. “It is a beautiful thing; far superior then what we currently have.”
The county has at least two firms interested in participating and will seek bids for the project, which is estimated to cost up to $4 million. It plans to save money by using the same design as Tazewell County’s, with some tweaks.
The county board also approved a settlement with former shelter director Kasey (Snyder) Napier.
Miller declined to comment on the details of the agreement, saying only, “I’m pleased with the board decision.” Further details are expected when it’s finalized with signatures, county officials stated.
In July 2025, Miller named Ryan Goodner as director of both the shelter and animal control. Goodner had been interim director for about a month and replaced Snyder, who was removed from her position after serving for about five years.
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