The Livingston County Humane Society will once again be responsible for handling all animal control services in the city. Chillicothe City Council members Monday night unanimously passed an ordinance which approved a one-year contract with the humane society and eliminated the position of the city animal control officer.

About a year ago, the city created the animal control officer position with the hope of reducing the amount being spent with the humane society; however, the job responsibilities of the newly created post were not clearly defined and instead of saving the city money, the city's expenses for animal control services increased. In addition to paying for the animal control officer, the city continued paying the humane society at the same rate prior to the hiring of an animal control officer.

“For years, there has been a contract with the Livingston County Humane Society to be a part of animal control in some way,” said City Administrator Dean Brookshier. “Last year, the council decided to hire an animal control officer to assist with those duties. As a result, it was a big financial burden for the city to hire a person and purchase a vehicle.”

Brookshier said it was a managerial problem and a financial burden to pay both the animal control officer and the humane society. He said that the animal control officer recently resigned and, on Monday night, the council agreed to have the humane society carry out the full responsibilities of animal control, resulting in a savings to the city of about $15,000 annually. The pickup truck which was used by the animal control officer has now been transferred to the city's parks department.

The new contract with the humane society is similar to the previous contract with the city; however, there is a $2,000 annual increase to account for an increase in the cost of fuel. The contract, in part, states that the humane society will receive $5,000 monthly as a base service fee, a portion of dog and cat license fees, all kennel and adoption fees received by the city and all animal control fines.