PARKERSBURG - After months of wrangling and banter while seeking to sever ties with animal control services and the Humane Society of Parkersburg, city officials may provide $50,000 to the group for a spay and neuter clinic.
In his proposed 2012-2013 budget presentation to city council on Tuesday, Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell outlined funding for the humane society and the Parkersburg Homecoming and The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon.
In the last few years, city officials have balked at funding outside agencies, with the exception of the Kids First Program. Newell said the proposed expenditures were not funding for outside agencies, but for events and projects.
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Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell discusses the city's budget.
The mayor is proposing a one-time funding of $50,000 to the humane society for construction of a spay and neuter clinic. In 2008, the city and society reached an agreement to lease a floodwall building to be converted into the clinic.
The clinic never materialized. Newell said the society determined the building could not be used for a clinic.
In 2010, the city ceased all funding for the humane society and recently approved measures to repeal the collection of its dog license fee, shifting animal control services to the Wood County Commission.
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Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell discusses items included in the city’s 2012-2013 budget that he presented to Parkersburg City Council Tuesday night.
"In the past, the city has been criticized for not helping the county commission pay their bills for animal control," Newell said. "The law is clear that the citizens of Parkersburg and other municipalities pay a high rate of property taxes to the county government in exchange for services, including animal control. Parkersburg residents shouldn't have to pay more than other county residents.
"However, it has been misconstrued by some as dropping our support of the Humane Society of Parkersburg. We have always supported the mission of the humane society and have been proactive in trying to eliminate the root of the animal control issues by giving the Humane Society of Parkersburg a building for a spay and neuter clinic," he said.
Newell said the money will be retained by the city and distributed as construction costs begin.
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In Brief
Parkersburg city officials might provide $50,000 to the Humane Society of Parkersburg for a spay and neuter clinic.
The mayor is asking city council to consider approving $10,000 allocations to the homecoming and the half marathon in the budget.
The mayor also is asking council to consider approving the $10,000 allocations to the homecoming and to the half marathon in the budget. He told council they all agree the homecoming and the half marathon are by far the largest events that bring tourism to the city and the surrounding area.
"To set aside additional meetings to rehash these two events again is not in the best interest of any parties," he said.
