BOONE, Iowa—Another Council meeting and another vote that failed to approve a contract between the City of Boone and the Boone Area Humane Society. Efforts to get a new contract began at the City Council meeting on June 1st. Kim Adams, President of the Boone Area Humane Society Board of Directors, brought the Humane Society’s proposal to the Council seeking an increase in the contracted re-imbursement. At the time, the City Council citing recent legislative action limiting property tax increases, countered with a 2% increase. The second meeting in June, Adams informed the Council that they would accept 2% but would reduce on-call service hours, due to fewer personnel and where they reside.
A reduction in the on-call response was not acceptable to the Council and a change to the proposed contract was made, offering an 8% increase and a return to 24/7 on-call response. Earlier this month, Adams returned with the Boone Area Humane Society Board’s proposal to accept 8% but to still limit on-call response to emergency situations. The Council, less Council Member Cory Henson, had a tie vote to approve the contract which meant it failed.
This week, the Council addressed the question again. City Administrator Ondrea Elmquist had proposed a three year contract, but that was rejected by the Boone Area Humane Society Board. Council Members Kole Hilsabeck, Linda Williamson and Lisa Kahookele voted for a one-year contract and Council Members Jordan Hammer, Cole Henson, Terry Moorman and Kyle Angstrom voted no.
The contract with the Boone Area Humane Society actually expired on June 30th, but they have continued to respond to calls. The Council then voted to extend the contract that expired for three-months in order to have a work session with the Boone Area Humane Society Board of Directors to try and come to an agreement. Mayor Dave Casotti and the KWBG News-Public Affairs Program Tuned In said with the extension they can hopefully work out an agreement. The City’s contract covers about 25% of the Boone Area Humane Society’s operating budget.
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