Animal Control is a County service that is not intended to be a revenue source; however, DeWitt County has been reviewing how it can minimize the financial loss. 

At Thursday night's DeWitt County Public Safety Committee Meeting, County Clerk Dee Dee Rentmeister provided the Committee with the revenue to date from this year for Animal Control, and how it stacks up to years past. She notes that $200,000 of the $244,000 is a transfer from the County's general funds to make up for the financial loss that is taken on. 

Notably, Rentmeister points out that the transfer from the general fund of $200,000 was twice what was transferred last year for the department. This pushed the Finance Committee to suggest that Animal Control move from four 10-hour shifts per week for employees to the standard five 8-hour shifts. 

Animal Control Administrator Grace Moore indicates that veterinary services and supplies like pet food are the biggest expenses for her department. Tim Earle brought up the possibility of searching for grants, and while Moore was receptive to the idea, she noted that it can be difficult because they are a governmental organization. 

A big reason for the higher expenses in the Animal Control Facility is the increased number of people relinquishing their pets. Moore shares that there are fees for relinquishments; however, Rentmeister suggested that they could be increased. Buck Carter and John Werts pointed out that doing that could lead to more strays. 

The budget will be put on display at next week's County Board meeting; however, the Public Safety Committee can make changes before their next meeting in November, as budgets and levies will be adopted in a special meeting later that month.