By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Besides exploring public health care options for 2013, Union Grove officials are also considering how best to offer animal control services beyond this year.
The question remains, but one fact is certain: The current provider is ending its contract at the end of 2012.
Racine-based Countryside Humane Society announced last year that it would no longer offer animal control services to municipalities, including Union Grove, after Dec. 31.
Countryside’s announcement has left communities throughout the west end with decisions that are starting to need to be made sooner, rather than later.
Members of the Union Grove Village Board’s Administration and Finance Committee have been hashing over the issue in recent months and plan to eventually bring a recommendation to the full board for ultimate action.
At last week’s committee meeting, Village Board Trustee and committee chair Gordon Svendsen said the review remains an ongoing process.
“We have an open time line right now,” Svendsen said. “But I think we’d like to have a decision in place by the end of the summer.”
Trustee Tim Mallach, who serves on the committee, has been looking into some of the specifics surrounding animal control, including possible vendors.
“Tim’s been doing a lot of leg work on this,” Svendsen said. “This is something we’ve been taking seriously because state statutes require us to have a vendor at all times.”
Whatever burbles to the surface, the committee likely will recommend a policy that will address the two most common types of pets – dogs and cats – and touch on a number of issues, including noise complaints, vaccinations.
Depending upon which route the village chooses to go, staff members might be appointed to pick up loose or roaming pets.
As with any service, one of the issues facing the committee during its review process is cost.
The goal, Svendsen said, is to offer a service comparable to Countryside’s and at a similar cost so the village’s budget is not negatively impacted.
If the village were to truly go on its own, there could be start-up fees associated with the new service, as well as classes and training.
It is possible Union Grove could pool its resources with neighboring municipalities, as well.
“Everyone’s in the same boat,” Svendsen said, referring to the Countryside decision.
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