County, Humane Society work out deal

After ongoing contract negotiations between the county and the Humane Society of Yuma, it appears they've come to an agreement to continue services.

Yuma County and HSOY entered into the negotiations after the Humane Society sent a letter to the county stating it would discontinue its services July 1. County Administrator Robert Pickels previously told the Yuma Sun that the HSOY had requested additional funding for the upcoming year. But, he said, the organizations that received county funds remained at the same funding level as last year.

Both Pickels and HSOY executive director Shawn Smith previously told the Yuma Sun they were working toward an agreement together.

The county board of supervisors will vote Monday whether to approve the new contract for the next year, which runs from July 1 through June 30, 2010. The HSOY will provide the same services it does now, including rabies control and animal control services.

Shanen Aranmor, director of development services for HSOY, said they're looking forward to the contract being signed, and it looks like it will be a positive outcome for everyone.

"Everything looks great," Aranmor said. "It appears that services will be uninterrupted and we will continue our relationship with the county."

Vice Chairman Russell McCloud said he is pleased with the outcome.

"I think it's good we were able to come to a resolution and able to work out the program where it was mutually beneficial," he said.

The supervisors will also vote to set a date for a public hearing to increase the licensing late fee from a one-time $2 charge to $4 for each month past the licensing renewal date. The proposed date for the public hearing is Aug. 3 at 9 a.m.

Under a state mandate, residents have until March 31 each year to license a new dog, proving the dog has been vaccinated for rabies.

Aranmor previously told the Yuma Sun that there has been an increase in licensing this year because of better compliance with the state mandate, and with an increase in services comes an increase in operating costs.

From July 2008 through May 25 this year, the HSOY licensed 8,036 dogs.

But Supervisor Chairman Greg Ferguson said there are a lot of dogs in Yuma that aren't licensed, and that leaves it open to whether they are vaccinated or not.

An increase could bring in additional revenue - it could also help encourage people to license their dogs.

"The important thing about the license is people getting their dogs vaccinated to get their rabies shots," he said. "To me, that's more important than the money, is getting people to do it."

The supervisors will meet Monday at 9 a.m. at 198 S. Main St. The meeting is open to the public.

---
Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.