Commission votes to increase HES funding
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – After months of seeking increased funding, the Humane Educational Society is finally getting what it requested.
On Wednesday morning inside a packed Hamilton County Commissioners meeting, several HES volunteers and staff joined Executive Director Bob Citrullo to see if the commissioners would approve an increase in annual funding from $395,255 to $620,970.
Commissioners voted 8 to 1 in favor of increasing the budget but that majority decision did not come easy.
Moments before the vote, Commissioners Tim Boyd and Joe Graham verbally grilled Citrullo for various reason without holding back.
"We have been bombarded with very insulting emails from people supporting the Humane Society and I don’t like that," Boyd said.
"We’re taking money out of a very tight budget to make sure that you’re getting 100-percent of your request. There’s officers here in this room that put on a bullet proof vest everyday and they’re willing to risk their life for us everyday; and they didn’t get the request for what they’re asking for. You did," Graham said.
Commissioner Warren Mackey caused eyebrows to raise when he looked at his fellow commissioners and asked if they were putting animals before people.
WDEF questioned Citrullo about that statement.
"I don’t think that we are. I think it’s a combination. Not supporting the animal services also puts people at risk. It’s a public health matter as well so I think there’s two separate things. Funding an animal control program is very important to the public and I don’t see it as putting animals before people at all," Citrullo said.
HES staff and volunteers have long said more money is needed to not only pay for structural repairs at the shelter, but to also address basic needs that include adding staff to keep up with the higher demand for animal services.
But during the commissioners meeting, Commissioner Boyd questioned HES’s accountability.
"Do you, your staff, board members or any of your staff feel you’re not accountable to the county commission for the dollars you asked for," Boyd asked.
"We’ve always been transparent. We’ve always audited our financials every year. This is just the fact of the cost of doing business over so many years that we’re no longer able to sustain the type of business model that’s expected from the public," Cutrillo said to WDEF when asked about Boyd’s question.
Despite the increase in funding, the Humane Educational Society will still depend on donations to help pay for many it’s day-to-day services.
Previous Story:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (HES) – The Humane Educational Society (HES) provided a presentation to members of the Hamilton County Commission today to request an increase in their annual funding to meet critical needs of the shelter.
Executive Director of HES Robert Citrullo, is concerned about the condition of the over 70-year old facility and how it is impacting the animals they care for and services they provide. The last year the shelter received an increase in funding was 2007. Citrullo noted that many areas of the building are not safe for staff due to asbestos, a basement that floods and electrical repairs that need to be made.
The shelter currently operates on a $395,255 annual budget or $3.82 per capita. By comparison, the Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville receives $3 million annually, while Nashville’s Metro Animal Services receives $2 million each year. In Hamilton County, the McKamey Center receives $1.6 million or $9.29 per capita to meet local needs within the 143 square miles of the City of Chattanooga. HES covers over 500 miles in the unincorporated and municipalities within Hamilton County.
"This funding will allow us to address basic needs, including additional staff as well as maintenance and repair of our current facility. The funding will in no way allow us to make many of the changes necessary at HES, but is critical to our viability. We have a business model and facility that are simply unsustainable," said Citrullo.
"We must address major issues including clogged sewer lines, broken air conditioners, vehicles and lights. If we are unable to make these repairs, portions of our facility may be condemned."
"Our current staff of 23 is at a dangerous level to adequately meet the needs of our community", said Citrullo. "The increase will allow us to begin to meet critical needs and make repairs, while bringing up staffing levels."
In 2014, the public surrendered 2,591 animals to the HES that included unplanned litters along with dogs and cats whose families can no longer afford to care for them. This year, their officers have answered 2,031 calls to date.
HES is requesting a budget of $620,970, which is $6.00 per capita and well under the $8.00 national average for shelters. Pending the approval of the funding increase from the commission, the shelter’s board is planning to launch a 3-year capital campaign for a new facility.
"Our building is in desperate need of maintenance and repairs. In order to be able to focus on our mission, we must address the critical issues at hand", said Citrullo. "These funds will allow us to make these changes."
To learn more about the Humane Educational Society, please visit www.heschatt.com.
Leave a Reply