The Humane Society of Hobart will soon receive $237,000 after the city’s board of public works approved a donation agreement at its Wednesday meeting.
The donation agreement passed in a unanimous vote. All members of the Hobart Board of Public Works were present.
Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun said animal shelter staff are working on ways to better serve the community through short-term, intermediate and long-term goals. Some of their needs include operational expenses and professional development for their staff.
The Humane Society of Hobart is looking to move to a different location and building, and according to Post-Tribune archives, Executive Director Jenny Webber met with Huddlestun to see if the city could help support the move.
“They’re going to do a capital campaign feasibility study to see what is needed and what they can do,” Huddlestun said Wednesday. “To further assist them and help them in getting there, we came up with the donation to the humane society in the amount of $237,000 to help get the ball rolling on all things mentioned. This is the beginning of our continuing of our good relationship with the humane society.”
A Hobart humane society representative Thursday was unable to immediately comment on the donation.
According to city documents, Hobart will make donations to the humane society through community impact payments, “which constitute public funds under Indiana law.” Funds must be used in accordance with an expense breakdown provided to the city, and any changes must be approved by Hobart officials.
Webber sent a letter to Huddlestun detailing the expense breakdown for funds, according to city documents, which include $80,000 for operational expenses; $40,000 for replacement of an animal control vehicle; $45,000 for a capital campaign feasibility study; $36,000 for professional development; and $16,000 for technological infrastructure upgrades.
The organization is required to send documentation of expenditures “not less frequently than quarterly,” including by copies of paid invoices or canceled checks. The humane society is also subject to audit by the Indiana State Board of Accounts, according to city documents. Hobart can also audit at any time during the agreement and for three years after.
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As part of the donation agreement, the city will also help with expediting needed permitting and approvals, and it will waive applicable permit fees. The humane society is expected to use the funds within one year once receiving them.
Public works board member Maria Galka praised the Humane Society of Hobart for the work they’re doing to improve the facility, especially by building their internal resources. Huddlestun echoed Galka’s sentiments as well.
“A lot of issues are animal-related, too,” Huddlestun said. “You start to provide resources for animals, and to some of our residents, and you start to kind of pull back the layers on the onion and solve more problems. (The humane society has) been a great asset to us and a longstanding partner in the community.”