MANSFIELD — The Richland County Dog Warden’s Office and Shelter has not increased dog licensing fees since 2015.
But rising costs and expenses have led to the necessity of increased rates, according to the dog warden.
“We’ve had significant expenses at our shelter increase,” Richland County Dog Warden Missy Houghton said Thursday. “Spay and neuter (expenses) increased by $12,000 this year.”
Houghton also said the facility’s water bill has increased significantly.
Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero said overall shelter expenses are up 15 percent since 2023.
“Since 2020, we had 50 percent more dogs over the entire year in 2024 than in 2020,” Vero said. “We had 728 dogs come through the facility in 2020. Last year, we had over 1,000.
Between the quantity of dogs being served and rising expenses, Vero said the fee increases seemed fair. He did credit taxpayers for helping support the dog shelter.
“We’re at all-time highs for dogs and expenses,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but I think it’s something that’s reasonable.”
The Board of Commissioners approved increases Thursday to one-year, three-year, and permanent dog license fees, which will begin in 2026. The approved new rates, priced per dog, compared to current 2025 rates are listed below:
- One-year license fee:
- 2025 rate: $18
- 2026 rate: $20
- Three-year license fee:
- 2025 rate: $54
- 2026 rate: $60
- Permanent license fee:
- 2025 rate: $180
- 2026 rate: $200
- Kennel registration fee:
- 2025 rate: $90
- 2026 rate: $100
These fee increases will generate approximately $37,000 to $38,000 in additional funds for the shelter annually, Vero said.
“It will help with our overall budget, but we’re also aware that everything with caring for dogs has become more expensive,” Houghton said. “We don’t want to necessarily make it more difficult for people to be dog owners.
“But the license fee is supposed to help the dog warden’s office function.”
However, even with the additional funds, Vero said projections still show the dog warden’s office will operate at a deficit.
“It is a razor-thin operation, survived off the kindness and love of volunteers and Missy (Houghton) and her staff,” he said.
Building permit fee increases to be discussed at public hearings
The Board of Commissioners also invited the Richland County Building Department to attend Thursday’s meeting to discuss updating building permit fees.
Steve Risser, the department’s director, said personnel changes and the loss of some of the other counties and territories the department serves have decreased workload, along with income and revenue.
“We’re taking a look at fees, which have not been updated since 2019,” Risser told commissioners. “There were some minor adjustments in 2019, some larger adjustments in 2017 — but (we’re) trying to bridge that gap between revenue and expense.”
He said the fees that accompany building permits are a “necessary evil.”
The department has worked on a list of proposed fee updates with Commissioner Cliff Mears and Richland County administrator Andrew Keller. Risser said it ultimately “mirrors” the State of Ohio’s current fee schedule.
Commissioners approved setting two public hearings for discussion and public comment regarding the proposed fee changes. The dates and location for those hearings will be announced on the county’s website and Facebook page.