Craig Howell NEW LEVY – Among items appearing on the ballot in Hancock County is a new levy in support of the Hancock County Animal Shelter. If approved, the levy would generate $300,000 per year for a period of four years.

NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County voters will be asked to show support for dogs, cats and other animals looking for a home through a new levy in support of the Hancock County Animal Shelter.

The levy, designed to raise $300,000 per year over a four-year period, is among items appearing on Hancock County ballots for the May 12 primary election.

The levy call was approved by county commissioners Nov. 25, 2025.

Lorianne Barbour, director of operations for the Jefferson County Humane Society, which has been overseeing the animal shelter’s operations since November, addressed commissioners during their April 23 meeting and provided an update on the nonprofit organization’s efforts over the last six months.

“We’ve continued to make strong progress regarding our operations, improving care and increasing positive outcomes for our animals,” she said.

Those efforts include increased staff training with an emphasis on understanding canine behavior and safer handling techniques for the animals, as well as work to improve marketing for the shelter, she said.

“We’ve seen a 50% increase in canine adoptions and we’ve also cut our length of stay in half for our shelter residents,” Barbour said.

A focus on improved medical care has also been made, she explained, with a veterinarian now on site every Tuesday and available every other day through telemedicine.

An increase in volunteer efforts has also been underway, as has an expansion of the shelter’s foster care system.

Under the levy call, taxes would be assessed at a rate of 0.7378 cents for every $100 of assessed value on Class I properties; 1.4756 cents for every $100 on Class II properties; and 2.9512 cents per $100 on Class III and Class IV properties.

The levy would begin its assessment July 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2030.

In the event the levy raises more than $300,000 in any given fiscal year, rates would be adjusted and the additional funds would be placed into the county’s general fund for recreational purposes.

When approving the call in November, commissioners noted it was an increase from a previous county levy, last approved in 2020 and running until 2023, which collected $100,000 per year, citing higher costs to operate the shelter in recent years.