The Wamac City Council voted unanimously on Monday to eliminate the position of animal control officer. Mayor Jackie “Butch” Mathus says the move is being made because there is no facility where the officer can take a captured animal.
“So I recommend to this council, due to a lack of resources that we can provide, the termination of animal control officer for the City of Wamac, and therefore (we) must rely on all three counties and their animal control procedures.”
The animal control position, which had been held by Jeremy Howell, is being eliminated effective immediately. City officials say that if animal control services are needed, citizens should contact Marion, Clinton or Washington County, depending where the animal is located.
Mathus expressed his frustration with the current animal control situation for Wamac and several of the other smaller municipalities in Marion County. He says counties are required by law to have an animal shelter and a licensed veterinarian, and adds that he intends to continue discussing the topic with the Marion County Board and with other communities that are struggling with animal control issues.
In other action, the council approved condemning properties located at 101, 107, 109 and 131 South Wall Street; 101 North Wall; 222 Chicago, numbers 1 and 2; 300 Sanders; 1424 South Cherry; and 109, 112 and 115 Apple. Mathus says the property owners will be notified and will have 60 days to reply if they intend to make substantial improvements to the properties; if they fail to do so, city officials will refer the properties to the relevant courts for formal demolition proceedings.
The council also approved the purchase of four Tasers at $200 each and 25 cartridges at $20 each from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Police Chief Steve Prather says purchasing the equipment at those prices will be a great value for the city.
Council members also approved the purchase of a credit and debit card terminal from Square for the payment of utility bills. The price of the terminal is $348, which includes a $49 fee for Internet connectivity. Payments made at the terminal will include a small fee.
