In its second appeal to county commissioners, Allen County Animal Rescue Facility may get funding when commissioners meet next Tuesday.
Ray Shannon, an ACARF proponent, asked commissioners Tuesday for a $50,000 grant to ease financial anxiety and constraints at the organization’s shelter in LaHarpe.
Commissioner Gary McIntosh was sympathetic, though not to the extent that Shannon sought.
McIntosh proposed his share of county-provided health insurance, which he has turned down since his election in 2008, be directed to the animal shelter.
His decision “has saved the county $800 to $1,000 a month,” McIntosh noted.
Commissioner Rob Francis was adamant that $50,000 was beyond what the county would consider. Commissioner Dick Works’ response: “We’ll have to wait and see how much money we have to carry forward.”
The 2012 budget was designed with $440,000 in cash carryover. The exact amount won’t be known until checks are issued next week for the final 2011 pay period, ending the last of December, and all encumbrances are paid.
ANOTHER SHOE waiting to drop is what commissioners will do about raises.
None has been given in three years.
“We should do something,” McIntosh said. “Our employees have been patient,” in understanding that the county’s finances have been fist-tight the past several years.
“We have people in this building (courthouse) handling million-dollar grants and I have people operating half-million-dollar equipment,” said Bill King, director of Public Works. “Some of them are making just $8 an hour.”
Works said he was willing to look at raises, again, after cash carryover is determined.
Francis said he thought proposals should be put on the table by next Tuesday.
“Right now, I’m looking at 3.6 percent cost of living raises — that’s what Social Security got — and 25-cent-an-hour merit raises,” Francis said. “I’d also like to raise starting pay to $8.75 an hour,” up from $8.50.
Francis estimated cost of his package for about 150 county employees at $200,000.
“I’d like to have several options,” McIntosh said.
