Lincoln County Animal Shelter Press Release - Fayetteville TN
Apr 28, 2022 06:01PM ● By Brian O
PRESS RELEASE — RESPONSE CONCERNING HUMANE SOCIETY OF LINCOLN COUNTY
This press release will address a response to a news story that aired on Huntsville, AL news station WAFF-48 last night, specifically the 10:00 pm broadcast. News reporter D'Quan Lee produced a video story about the Humane Society of Lincoln County not receiving adequate funding going forward from the City of Fayetteville government.
The current director, Resa Beasley made several statements about the current condition of the Humane Society, yet did not share all information for the public to be fully informed. Both the City of Fayetteville and the Lincoln County Commission provide funding to the Humane Society (classified as an Outside Agency) on an annual basis.
The city entered into an agreement with the Humane Society in 2009 for the sole purpose of the Humane Society providing animal control services for the City of Fayetteville. Beasley stated that they cover 570 square miles, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The area to cover for picking up and responding to calls for the city is 9.62 square miles.
The remainder are calls for animals outside of the city limits. For many years, more animals that are picked up or dropped off come from outside the city limits. From a budgetary standpoint, the Humane Society has a budget around $400,000 annually.
Per our joint agreement, the City of Fayetteville has never been obligated to provide full financial funding of the Humane Society.
The following numbers will provide an example of the increase of funding that the City has provided since Fiscal Year 2017 to present. Fiscal years run from July 1st to June 30.
The current director, Resa Beasley made several statements about the current condition of the Humane Society, yet did not share all information for the public to be fully informed. Both the City of Fayetteville and the Lincoln County Commission provide funding to the Humane Society (classified as an Outside Agency) on an annual basis.
The city entered into an agreement with the Humane Society in 2009 for the sole purpose of the Humane Society providing animal control services for the City of Fayetteville. Beasley stated that they cover 570 square miles, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The area to cover for picking up and responding to calls for the city is 9.62 square miles.
The remainder are calls for animals outside of the city limits. For many years, more animals that are picked up or dropped off come from outside the city limits. From a budgetary standpoint, the Humane Society has a budget around $400,000 annually.
Per our joint agreement, the City of Fayetteville has never been obligated to provide full financial funding of the Humane Society.
The following numbers will provide an example of the increase of funding that the City has provided since Fiscal Year 2017 to present. Fiscal years run from July 1st to June 30.
FY 2017 $50,675
FY 2018 $55,000
FY 2019 $60,000
FY 2020 $62,000
FY 2021 $65,000
FY 2022 $75,000
The Humane Society requested $120,000 for Fiscal Year 2023. The City of Fayetteville is in the process of finalizing the FY2023 budget. The Board of Mayor and Alderman have had to consider current inflation trends and other global uncertainties including rumors of a recession, shortages of supplies, and the aggression by Russia against Ukraine. The Fayetteville staff presented the most practical options for day to day operations.
This resulted in a budget to continue at current funding levels. Funding requests for this budget cycle far exceeded revenue projections. The BMA had to make those difficult decisions to shorten many of the City Department capital and operational requests, as well as unable to increase funding this year to those local nonprofit agencies seeking additional funding for valuable services. These are similar circumstances facing most municipalities across the state, and the country. There will be a public hearing announced and a vote for the budget adoption in the month of June.
Representatives from the Humane Society met with City Administrator Kevin Owens on Tuesday afternoon, April 26th. Mr. Owens informed Director Beasley that funding provided would stay at $75,000 for FY2023.
As of this afternoon, no written or verbal communication has been provided from the Humane Society to the City about any changes in the current agreement over animal control. The City of Fayetteville has had a long standing, positive relationship with the Humane Society of Lincoln County, and intends to do so going forward.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Whisenant