It tells us that the county does believe in this organization and the good work we do."
The executive director of the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga said his organization received a clear message from Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger on Tuesday after it was revealed that the HES would be getting $226,000 in additional funds from the county to operate in 2016.
"It tells us that the county does believe in this organization and the good work we do," HES Executive Director Bob Citrullo said.
Coppinger presented his 2016 budget at a work session Tuesday, which included the full amount of additional funding requested by the organization.
Bob Citrullo, director of the Humane Education Society of Hamilton County, talks about problems with the building at the Highland Park Avenue facility Tuesday, May 26, 2015, in Chattanooga.
This kennel area shows peeling paint and holes in the ceiling at the Humane Education Society of Hamilton County on Highland Park Avenue facility, seen Tuesday, May 26, 2015, in Chattanooga. Water comes through the roof when it rains, according to director Bob Citrullo. "We drilled down as deep as we could in the budget and were able to find a revenue source for [HES]," Coppinger said. "They provide an important service, and we're proud that we're going to be able to fully fund them and continue the relationship."
The organization, which serves lost, abused or abandoned animals in county areas outside of Chattanooga's city limits, already receives close to $400,000 from the county yearly, but Citrullo told the county recently that it isn't nearly enough.
"For years, [funding] was going in the wrong direction," Citrullo said. "We reached a point where we had to call it and say, 'Hey, it's time, we're not funded properly.'"
Citrullo said the additional funding will go toward some desperately needed repairs around the society's 70-year-old building, such as fixing the sewer line and some broken air conditioning units, but mainly it will help maintain the existing services the organization has been stretching to provide.
"A lot of it will help us to continue what we're doing," Citrullo said. "It will help us meet the rising cost of veterinary care and medical supplies, and it will help us fund our animal control contract, which we've had to offset for years with private donations."
District 6 Commissioner Joe Graham said the funds hopefully would provide the Humane Society with a short-term solution, but he worried about the long-term condition of the organization's building.
"I'm glad we could help out, but this shouldn't happen again," Graham said. "Employees and animals shouldn't have to work or live like that."
McKamey Animal Center Executive Director Jamie McAloon said she was relieved that the society got its funding.
"When one shelter fails or becomes disabled, it has a ripple effect on the communities surrounding it, especially when it borders your own jurisdiction," McAloon said. "If HES hadn't been able to fulfill its mission we would have felt its impact."
The HES has one more hurdle to clear when the commission will vote to approve or reject the mayor's budget on June 17.
Contact staff writer Will Healey at whealey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.
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