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Independence, MO —
Jackson County and city of Independence officials this week said they need more time to determine the best method for operating the new animal shelter.
August, then September and finally October had been tossed around as move-in dates at the new facility, but for now, all plans are on hold as the city and county sort out the best option to run the shelter.
From the city’s standpoint, City Manager Robert Heacock said, the county is expressing it would like more time to explore options with potential nonprofit organizations or other jurisdictions to further the goal of having a no-kill shelter.
“It’s important for the city to work with the county and allow them the opportunity to explore any option that they believe would serve the community,” Heacock said.
Heacock said the animal shelter has experienced some significant turnover “that is bittersweet,” including last month’s departure of longtime Animal Shelter Manager Aimee Wells.
“You’re always sorry to see people go,” Heacock said, “but we’ve had some opportunities to bring some new people in.”
The shelter did hire several part-time kennel and clerical staff members, but the city isn’t moving forward at this time in hiring the new full-time positions authorized in the 2012-13 budget, including a veterinary technician, shelter veterinarian and volunteer coordinator.
County Legislator Dennis Waits, D-Independence, has long been an advocate for animals and has pushed for the new shelter.
This week he downplayed any differences with the city.
“It’s not adversarial. It’s just friends,” working toward a solution, he said.
An intergovernmental agreement approved in 2009 states the county was responsible for the facility’s construction, at its expense, while the city will operate and maintain it. The land also is owned by the city.
The county and city also have a mutual goal of running a no-kill shelter.
A year ago, as the contractor was getting ready to start building the $4.92 million shelter, officials said it would open in mid-2012, but Waits said at the moment the opening is not set. The new shelter is on Missouri 78 near the Metropolitan Community Colleges-Blue River campus. It will replace the Independence Animal Shelter at 875 S. Vista Ave.
Waits emphasized that City Council members Jim Schultz and Marcie Gragg, as well as Lucy Young, who recently resigned from the council, have been good to work with, calling the overall effort by both county and city officials “good people trying to do the right thing.”
Jackson County and city of Independence officials this week said they need more time to determine the best method for operating the new animal shelter.
August, then September and finally October had been tossed around as move-in dates at the new facility, but for now, all plans are on hold as the city and county sort out the best option to run the shelter.
From the city’s standpoint, City Manager Robert Heacock said, the county is expressing it would like more time to explore options with potential nonprofit organizations or other jurisdictions to further the goal of having a no-kill shelter.
“It’s important for the city to work with the county and allow them the opportunity to explore any option that they believe would serve the community,” Heacock said.
Heacock said the animal shelter has experienced some significant turnover “that is bittersweet,” including last month’s departure of longtime Animal Shelter Manager Aimee Wells.
“You’re always sorry to see people go,” Heacock said, “but we’ve had some opportunities to bring some new people in.”
The shelter did hire several part-time kennel and clerical staff members, but the city isn’t moving forward at this time in hiring the new full-time positions authorized in the 2012-13 budget, including a veterinary technician, shelter veterinarian and volunteer coordinator.
County Legislator Dennis Waits, D-Independence, has long been an advocate for animals and has pushed for the new shelter.
This week he downplayed any differences with the city.
“It’s not adversarial. It’s just friends,” working toward a solution, he said.
An intergovernmental agreement approved in 2009 states the county was responsible for the facility’s construction, at its expense, while the city will operate and maintain it. The land also is owned by the city.
The county and city also have a mutual goal of running a no-kill shelter.
A year ago, as the contractor was getting ready to start building the $4.92 million shelter, officials said it would open in mid-2012, but Waits said at the moment the opening is not set. The new shelter is on Missouri 78 near the Metropolitan Community Colleges-Blue River campus. It will replace the Independence Animal Shelter at 875 S. Vista Ave.
Waits emphasized that City Council members Jim Schultz and Marcie Gragg, as well as Lucy Young, who recently resigned from the council, have been good to work with, calling the overall effort by both county and city officials “good people trying to do the right thing.”
Waits also said the regional approach to running the shelter, the idea officials underlined when plans were first being drawn up three or four years ago, is still on the table, and he’d like to see the word “regional” in the shelter’s name. The new shelter is about three times the size of the one it’s replacing, and Waits stresses that the goal of a no-kill shelter is still paramount.
The city rejected a bid by the Great Plains Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – then known as the Heartland SPCA – to run the shelter. City officials say they can run it for far less, and the city’s budget effective July 1 accounts for city staff – existing and new – to run the shelter.
However, in late June, Heacock said the city could, in the future, partner with a nonprofit or even create a nonprofit at the shelter.
Asked if he still wants the SPCA involved, Waits said, “I think we’re open to everything.”
Wait said county officials want to make sure they address the city’s needs.
“I think we’re all real anxious to make this work,” he said, adding that everyone is focused on the primary issue – the welfare of animals.
