Marion County Board Chair Steve Whritenour has announced a tentative deal that will see the county purchase Centralia’s animal control facility on Airport Road and take over animal control for the Marion County portion of the city.
Under the proposal, Whritenour reports the county will pay $160,000 for the building and three acres that would allow for expansion. The county is already providing animal control for Centralia since their animal control officer quit. The city would pay $30,000 towards the cost of animal control next year and $15,000 each of the following two years.
Whritenour is pleased with the proposal.
“We’re taking a lot more of an expense on covering the city of Centralia, and it’s a win-win for both of us,” Whritenour said. “Obviously, we need a facility. By state statute, we’re required to do animal control. As opposed to the city not helping us at all, we’re very thankful to the city manager for sitting down to work out a deal.”
Whritenour says the county will only take care of dogs and not cats as the city of Centralia is currently doing.
County board Veterinarian Dr. Michael Douglas praised the Centralia facility, noting it works well and was built as an animal control facility.
The Centralia City Council will vote on the arrangement Monday night, with the county board to then be asked to give its approval.
Centralia City Manager Galen Mahle Wednesday morning said they were looking at their options to take care of stray cats in the community. Under the plan, Clinton County Animal Control would take care of the Clinton County portion of Centralia.
