By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – At the Wabash City Council meeting on Monday evening, the council voted to approve a special $20,000 appropriation to help keep the Wabash County Animal Shelter going through the end of 2016. Doug Bogert, Manager of the Wabash County Animal Shelter, told the council that every animal that comes through the shelter is spayed or neutered in Kokomo, which, he said, is the cheapest place to have the procedure done in the area. Bogert also noted that the shelter uses old non-air conditioned trucks which, on extremely hot or cold days, can make the animals very uncomfortable.
Bogert fielded a question from Councilman Doug Adams on whether the shelter is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization. Bogert answered in the affirmative and admitted that the shelter receives various grants every year, but they are the kind which often require a 50% match of local dollars. Councilman Mitch Figert, who eventually voted against the appropriation, said that he doesn’t mind the city giving funds but he doesn’t want the Wabash County Animal Shelter to be reliant on local government. Bogert said that, while the county funded the shelter 100% at one time, they now get various funds from the City of Wabash and Wabash County, as well as the Town of North Manchester. Figert on why he voted against the appropriation Monday night.
Figert noted that the city needs the $100,000 in the Rainy Day fund for a multitude of other issues. While Councilman Doug Adams had obvious reservations, he voted in the affirmative and the measure passed 6 to 1.
After approving the last of a five-year continuing real property tax abatement for Tonia Richards, the council heard a pitch from Wabash City Schools Superintendent Jason Callahan regarding the upcoming referendum vote. He went over a top 10 list of why residents should vote yes on the referendum on the May 3rd Primary Election ballot to help the school district’s general fund. He argued that $0.28 on every $100 of a homeowner’s assessed value is a conservative ask and that the school district must support its teachers.
Outspoken former Councilman Paul Lewis spoke against the referendum, saying that it burdens retirees who make up the majority of the population of Wabash and that certain positions – like playground aids and cafeteria workers – can and should be cut.