Frankfort’s Animal Control Services in Jeopardy Amid Contract Dispute

Frankfort Faces Uncertainty Over Animal Control Services

In the heart of Frankfort, Kentucky, the future of animal control services hangs in the balance. Each county in the state is required to maintain an animal control service to assist with numerous issues involving stray animals and those under law enforcement scrutiny. Without these essential services, many communities would struggle to provide care and support for animals in need, and the current situation in Franklin County is drawing attention.

Contract Termination Sparks Concern

The Franklin County Humane Society serves as the contracted animal control agency for the county, playing a vital role in animal welfare. However, on July 1, the organization made the difficult decision to terminate its contract with the City of Frankfort and Franklin County Fiscal Court. “In the last year, we have been trying to negotiate with the city and county on our contract,” said Kerry Lowary, Executive Director of the Franklin County Humane Society. The annual funding from the city and county is approximately $148,000, a figure that the humane society argues is not enough.

Rising Costs and Negotiation Challenges

John Hibbard, president of the Franklin County Humane Society Board, explained that the decision stemmed from increasing costs in a post-COVID world. “We realized that the contract we had with them was not financially beneficial to us; it was actually detrimental,” he noted. As a result, the board is seeking equitable compensation; they are requesting both the city and county to increase their funding to $110,000 each, which represents a $36,000 increase.

A Deadline for Resolution

Lowary indicated that the humane society’s board has given the city and county a 90-day timeframe from the notification of contract termination to negotiate a new agreement. According to Lowary, “The city has already submitted us a draft that we’re working out, and hopefully, we’ll have something similar from the county.” The stakes are high, as the citizens of Frankfort, along with the animals, could see significant impacts if a new agreement is not reached.

Future Uncertain for Animal Care

For now, operations at the humane society are continuing normally. Yet, there’s a cloud of uncertainty looming overhead. If the negotiations fall through, Lowary warned that they would not be able to accept animals typically sent to them by the county or city. This limitation could create a void in support for animals in the community who need help the most.

A Look at Regional Comparisons

It’s worth noting that other counties nearby, such as Scott County, which has a similar population size to Franklin County, allocate significantly more funds—over $100,000 more—to their animal control budget. This raises questions about the adequacy and priority of funding for animal welfare in Franklin County.

Awaiting a Response

The situation has sparked concern among residents who understand the importance of animal control services. As of now, the Franklin County Fiscal Court has not publicly responded to inquiries regarding the ongoing negotiations. The community remains hopeful for a resolution that protects the welfare of animals and ensures that essential services continue uninterrupted.

Conclusion

As Franklin County navigates this critical juncture, community members are encouraged to stay informed and engage in discussions about the importance of adequate funding for animal control services. The well-being of not just the animals but the overall health of the community hangs in the balance.