Centralia City Manager Kory Smith is explaining his decision to increase the monthly cost for Marion County to utilize its animal control facility.
Smith says while the county’s cost would increase from $3,200 to $6,200 a month there has not been an increase in the contract for the past 11 years. He notes during that time the cost of everything has gone up from food, vet services, to providing the housing space. Smith also notes the county now often is utilizing half the available space for housing dogs in the Centralia facility. He reports the county has until November first to give 90 days notification that they want out of the contract.
The Marion County Community Relations Committee has called a meeting for 5:30 Tuesday night in the basement meeting room of the Marion County Law Enforcement Center to discuss their options to avoid paying the increase. They have invited all of the smaller municipalities in the county to attend who currently have no place to take their dogs since they are not included in the county contract. The committee is expected to look at agreements with other counties or building their own facility.
Meanwhile, the full Marion County Board has called an emergency meeting at five Tuesday night also in the basement of the Law Enforcement Center to discuss opioid litigation. The agenda includes possible action after a closed session that will begin the meeting.
