County approves 5-year contract for animal shelter services

For the first time, Bartholomew County Commissioners have approved a five year contract with the Bartholomew County Humane Society to provide shelter for animals collected in the county.

The contract for a flat fee of $100,000 will be in effect from now until 2030, Commissioners President Tony London said. That fee would cover the first 125 animals turned over to the shelter annually. After that first group of animals, each additional animal would be accepted at a cost to the county of $950 each.

London said that the money would come from the commissioners’ funds and the county has budgeted $250,000 for this year to cover the costs. London said that the animal care issue has grown in recent years both in its scope and in contention from the community. Previously, the county paid the humane society $90,000 to operate the shelter.