MANSFIELD — Richland County Dog Warden Missy Houghton got approval Tuesday to buy one used SUV for her agency — not the two she asked county commissioners to approve.
And she must do it using funds from the $121,000 budget carryover with which her department began 2024.
Commissioner Darrell Banks said he was not in favor of spending county capital funds on used vehicles for the 810 N. Home Road dog warden and adoption center.
He said commissioners recently agreed to fund improvements at the shelter, including help with noise-baffling panels, new computer, a shelter case management system and also forgiving a general fund “loan” to cover a past operating deficit.
“Let’s talk about what are you going to do in the future. We’ve been investing a lot of money in your organization. We’re happy to do it because we’ve got to take care of the 100 dogs you take care of, but you’re supposed to be self-sufficient.
“How do we get you to be self-sufficient in the future?” Banks asked.
Houghton, who joined the agency in 2019 and became dog warden in 2021, said department finances are headed in the right direction, pointing to the carryover entering this year.
“It appears that our finances are trending in the right direction. I hope to continue that and see where we can cut costs even further,” said Houghton, whose shelter has housed a record number of dogs in the last few years.
“I’m hoping at some point the dogs level out and the numbers aren’t so high. If we can get down to 60 or 70 dogs, that’s going to reduce a lot of our expenses that we have, because everything’s just escalated due to the influx of dogs,” she said.
Houghton has one current part-time deputy and is adding two more part-time deputies this month. The department, which currently had two vehicles, has no full-time deputies.
“There are times when three of us are working and sometimes the deputy that is on call would still need their vehicle at home because they respond after hours,” Houghton said.
Banks said using agency carryover funds to purchase one used SUV was the best way to go and noted that commissioners would monitor the department’s budget as the year continues.
“I think that’s a good idea — not that we won’t come back and help you again,” Banks said.
Commissioner Tony Vero said, “It’s a razor-thin operation. We have helped a lot. We paid off the debt. Let’s consider what that debt payment may have been this year for a vehicle.
“We will keep monitoring the budget. Missy and I talk bi-weekly and we’ll go from there,” he said. “Try to use your own funds for now.”
Volunteers at the Richland County Dog Shelter recently launched a fundraiser to replace several run-down kennels, hoping to raise $15,000 for the project.
New wireless emergency notification system provider selected
Commissioners approved an annual $21,876 contract with Everbridge to provide the county’s wireless emergency notification system.
The board voted to end its contract with the current provider, Inspiron Logistics after Matt Hill from the county auditor’s IT department told the board there have been numerous failures with the current service.
The company will be given a 45-day notice as required under the contract.
Hill, who said the current situation “is kind of a nightmare,” noted that Inspiron has been “hit-or-miss, particularly with text messages.”
Hill said the county began noticing problems with the current provider in December 2022 when low temperatures caused a water line break outside the courthouse.
Hill said Richland County residents will not need to re-sign up for notifications when the new provider takes over.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclaimed
Commissioners, meeting with leaders of The Domestic Violence Shelter in Mansfield, proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
(Below is a PDF showing the proclamation issued Tuesday.)
Colleen Rice, shelter director, told commissioners the facility has resources to respond 24/7, including holidays, to local medical facilities or adults in need of an advocate, including adults and children.
“This is a very visionary community, opening our doors back in 1978 as one of the first three places in Ohio to open their doors to victims of violence,” Rice said.
Amy Bailey, the shelter’s director of sexual assault services, said the facility helps 150 to 180 clients annually, mostly from hospital referrals.
Victims do not have to go to a hospital to seek assistance, obtainable by calling 419-774-5840.
