HUMBOLDT — Pet owners will be allowed to register their dogs or cats with the city for free — if they have their animals microchipped.
Humboldt City Council members approved at their monthly meeting Monday the registration fee waiver for residents who have not yet registered their animals with the city, provided the animal has the microchip.
City Administrator Larry Tucker told council members that the city is hosting an animal clinic from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Camp Hunter to encourage pet owners to register their dogs and cats. A representative from the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility will be on hand to provide more information about microchipping.
Microchipping is an identification method in which the small chip is inserted into the animal’s skin. Then, an electronic scanner can be used to identify the microchip, and then indicate the animal’s owner and address.
The city is purchasing a scanner for about $200, Tucker said. Having the animals microchipped would cost about $20.
The city otherwise would charge a registration fee of $5 if the animal is spayed or neutered; $10 otherwise. Animals almost must have their rabies vaccinations in order to be registered.
The city collected $834 in animal registrations in 2010.
While the city would lose some revenue by waiving the fees, the microchipping would help animal control officers reduce the number of unclaimed animals.
The request was approved unanimously.
Council member Sean McReynolds asked Tucker and other city officials to reconsider the city’s current policy regarding cats.
Currently, residents are not given any city assistance in trapping feral cats and instead are referred to a local company that can corral the stray felines.
THE COUNCIL will gather for a special meeting at noon Friday at City Hall to go over the final set of change orders regarding the city’s water line improvement project. Inclement weather last week prevented engineers from getting to Humboldt to go over the final change orders.
Work is nearly complete on the $1.27 million project. In a related matter, council members authorized the revenue bonds necessary to close out the temporary financing and replace them with funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The bonds will be paid off over the next 40 years at a 3.375 percent interest rate. The bonds will be issued on March 10 — the city was leery of waiting past March because the interest rates may rise in the next fiscal quarter, Tucker said — and the first payment would be due on March 17, 2012.
The bond payments will be made through revenues generated by water rates.
A PAIR OF budget transfers were approved to close out the city’s financial books for 2010.
Council members approved a $42,000 transfer from Humboldt’s gas utility fund and $18,500 from its sanitation fund to its swimming pool utility fund and reserve, respectively. Another $20,000 was transferred from the sanitation fund to Humboldt’s drainage utility fund.
With those transfers, the city can now present its 2010 financial books to an auditor, Tucker said.
Humboldt has been approved for a state grant to install a new storm siren on the north part of town, Tucker said.
The $15,000 grant will allow for the installation of the new siren at Cannon Park. The existing siren — currently in Humboldt’s downtown business district — will be relocated to Centennial Park, near the swimming pool.
COUNCIL MEMBERS also approved formation of a committee to look at the feasibility of constructing a new ambulance barn, fire station or combination of both. The city hopes to work with Allen County to share costs.
The committee will consist of Tucker, Fire Chief Kent Barfoot, Allen County EMS Director Jason Nelson and members of the City Council’s public safety committee.
