Julie Boehler, director of the Macoupin County Animal Control & Adoption Center, speaks to the Macoupin County Board on Aug. 13 about a possible agreement with the Metro East Humane Society that was recently discussed. The board agreed to further pursue the possibility of the local shelter working with the Humane Society to improve its overall services. Enquirer~Democrat photo by Jackson Wilson.
By JACKSON WILSON
Reporter for the Democratic Enquirer
During the Macoupin County Council’s monthly meeting on August 13, Chairman Larry Schmidt reported that county officials recently met with the Metro East Humane Society to discuss a possible collaboration with the local animal shelter.
Julie Boehler of Macoupin County Animal Control, who was present at the meeting, mentioned that there were opportunities for the Humane Society to help.
More than 100 volunteers were on hand to help build a broader support group. There was also a program where children could “rent a dog.”
However, no donations in the form of medicines or relief supplies were received in the district.
It was asked if adoptions were handled. Boehler denied direct assistance, but mentioned that the Humane Society could teach Macoupin’s staff their adoption techniques.
Boehler said this opportunity would allow for the development of an important relationship at no additional cost and that she “sees no downside.”
Schmidt recommended that the board reach an agreement with the Humane Society and put together further details for future meetings. The board agreed.
Building and Property Committee
Regarding buildings and land, Pete Duncan said the county has received two bids to expand the parking lot at the polling center.
The lower suggested bid came from DeLaurent Construction in Wilsonville and was $115,275.
According to Duncan, the project’s costs would be covered by ARPA and grants.
Ibberson said he wished the project had been put out to tender for both concrete and asphalt.
Duncan said that was the goal, and DeLaurent was told completion was expected in early September.
Public and security
In the public and safety areas, a draft contract similar to the one used for previous animal control directors was discussed.
There were some questions about a probationary period, but since it was an “at will” situation, the employee could be fired at any time, so a probationary period wasn’t really necessary.
In addition, a question was asked about the pro rata calculation of holiday entitlement in the event of early termination of the employment relationship and this was also taken into account.
Otherwise, everything remained the same as the contracts used previously.
Finance
Under the finances section, Duncan reported that preliminary studies had shown a significant increase in health rates.
There were some ways the county could potentially lower rates without costing workers, but that would have had to be discussed with the unions.
The Committee decided to schedule a meeting on 28 August for a more detailed discussion.
As for the resolution appropriating the General Fund and the Special Funds for the 2024-25 fiscal year, it was identical to the preliminary budget approved last month.
The budget funded all of the raises previously approved by the board and provides a 3 percent raise to non-union employees, which covers 60 percent of department heads’ requests. It would leave a projected surplus of $19,000, so any further raises would require either new revenue or cuts in other budget items.
Read the full story in the August 22 edition of the Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat!
