Humane Society asks Jefferson commissioners for funding
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STEUBENVILLE -- At a time when commissioners are already searching for ways to cut millions in spending to balance their 2027 budget, the Jefferson County Humane Society was at Thursday's meeting asking for up to $34,000 to cover medical expenses for the shelter animals for the rest of this year, plus a nearly $213,000 annual appropriation in the new year.
"We have a contract with the county," the Human Society's Kristi Kirkpatrick told commissioners. "If we cannot get some sort of funding, we’re going to be forced to make decisions with regard to (that) contract."
During last year's budget sessions, commissioners had warned department heads of tough budget times ahead, with warnings intensifying in recent weeks as commissioners came to realize exactly how tight the 2027 budget is going to be. Only a few department heads heeded the warnings and reduced their 2026 funding requests, adding to the financial stress this year.
"...We've had to tell some other departments already there's no money," Commissioner Tony Morelli said, telling the Humane Society delegation, "There is no money left in our general fund to commit to $200,000-plus."
As a starting point, commissioners are currently trying to identify $6 million in budget cuts, but it doesn't take into consideration any end-of-year cash carryovers to soften the shortfall. Auditor E.J. Conn said their cost-cutting goal "will likely drop somewhat, but it will be necessary to cut more from departmental budgets than in year's past."
"Given the current budget situation, any discretionary spending should be considered carefully," Conn said. "If we add another $212,800, that just means that much more will have to be cut elsewhere. It starts to boil down to what is absolutely necessary and what is not, unfortunately."
Conn pointed out there are services the county is "statutorily obligated to fund and things that we're not statutorily obligated to fund -- you know, those discretionary expenses everybody supports."
"I think everybody supports animals, supports animal welfare, but everybody’s in a financial bind right now," Conn said. "And if we’re looking at departmental cuts of the size we all think we are, more than likely those are going to be objected to in court."
Kirkpatrick suggested the budget crunch was all the more reason for the county to fund their operation, telling commissioners "If you have no money in the budget, you can clearly see you’re not going to be able to support what we do as a whole. You’re not going to be able to hire employees to run front desk. If you're in that big of a deficit you're..."
"It's not if we are in (that big a deficit), we are," Morelli interjected. "Our numbers don't lie, either...we are (currently) $6 million (short)."
Kirkpatrick insisted they're "in the same boat, going down the river."
"I don't know if it's the same boat or not," Morelli replied. I understand that's where your passion is, but we have people ... I don't know how we're going to be able to reduce (the shortfall) without eliminating some jobs or laying some people off."
"That's what we're going to be faced with," Kirkpatrick said. "If we can't get some sort of support from the county, we'll be forced to end our contract because we will not have, we cannot generate enough revenue in other areas to support the county."
She said the Humane Society is working on a wage and salary and employee standpoint, right-size their ship as well to cut costs where they can from the wage and salary perspective.
The Humane Society a year ago assumed responsibility for the Hancock County (West Virginia) animal shelter, initially as a six-month trial. In July, however, the contract was extended to a full year and the Hancock County Commissioners agreed to provide $360,000 a year for the shelter's operation, mostly funded through a levy.
Jefferson County currently gives the Humane Society $1,500 a year, though the shelter itself was constructed with revenue generated by a voter-approved levy.
"I want everyone to understand that the passion is for the animals," Kirkpatrick said. "The citizens voted for an animal shelter and we have worked tirelessly to bring this shelter to the status it is today. We can't go back to killing 73% of the animals that come into that shelter....Let me be very blunt with you -- that's what this county, this shelter will go back to, you will kill everything that comes into that door."
Morelli warned them they're not going to be able to hand the Humane Society $200,000, pointing out they don't want to see cuts at the shelter any more than they want to see cuts in services, "but it's a reality."
"I'm also going to hate to have to tell somebody that, 'Sorry -- you're a great employee but we can't afford to do that.' I didn't say that was going to happen but you're all smart -- it's what you make (versus) what you spend," he said.
Commissioner Eric Timmons told the delegation he'd like to see financial records for the past five years, a request Conn seconded.