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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > May > 15
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Shelter gets rolling … Again
A year ago this month, ground was broken on Butler County’s new animal shelter … And the ruffled dirt has remained untouched ever since.
But on Thursday, May 15, county commissioners made the next step in renewing their promise of building a state-of-the-art facility for local strays — and they said this time the project will move forward on budget.
In 2006, volunteers and workers from Butler County Animal Friends Humane Society introduced the idea of a 0.5-mill levy to support the move from a 55-year-old facility in Trenton to a new building off Princeton Road.
While voters approved the levy, the only work that’s been done on site was a groundbreaking on May 3, 2007, featuring golden ceremonial shovels.
County officials are saying now, though, real shovels — and other equipment — could be hitting the dirt there within the next month with this week’s approval of a $288,000 bid to Brochear Contractors to begin clearing the site for construction.
The bid is $30,000 less than a bid months ago for the same work, according to Interim Administrator Tim Williams, and they may go a long way in speeding up the process. If all goes as planned this time around, the new facility could be operational by springtime next year.
Commissioners said the process thus far has been frustrating, especially given previous bids for work that have come back more than a million dollars above the $3.4 million they expected to pay. Read more about that story here.
“We have $3.4 million to spend on the animal shelter, and we’re going to build it for $3.4 million,” said Commissioner Donald Dixon.
Others remained concerned about holding steadfast on that number.
“It might not be enough,” said Leland Gordon, executive director of Animal Friends. “We have to wait and see what the bid says when it comes back. But if there is a gap in funding, we hope that somebody in the community will step up and fill that gap.”
Still, Gordon said, “It’s better late than never.”
Question: Are you frustrated by the delays?
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County department outlines staff cuts
At this morning’s commissioners’ meeting, officials from the Department of Environmental Services shed more light on how they plan cutting local water bills by up to 10 percent.
And just as was rumored earlier this week, the plan is expected to be carried out thanks to nearly two dozen staff cuts and paying down existing debt.
Sue Vance said that 22 1/2 positions will be cut, split between union and non-union positions. The reduction is equal to about 16 percent of the department’s workforce.
“We have had some very difficult decisions to make particularly as they involve employees,” Vance said this morning.
Customers are expected to realize an average decrease of 10 percent on water bills and 15 percent on sewer bills, effective in 2009, Vance said.
Commissioner Don Dixon’s first response: “Wow.”
“You followed our instructions (to reduce bills and streamline the department) specifically,” Dixon said.
Commissioners said the biggest hurdle in trying to lower bills for their customers has been the unwillingness of the city of Hamiton to work with them on decreasing county rates. For more on that story, click here
“I think we should take another run at the city of Hamilton,” said Commission President Chuck Furmon. “As it stands now, we’re limited on our choice.”
Commissioners said they will table the issue for at least another 30 days to give them that opportunity.
“My heart goes out to anyone who feels like they’re on the bubble right now. It’s a most difficult day in our department,” Vance said.
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