Clinton searches for Animal Control Bids - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Clinton searches for Animal Control Bids

By: Christine Souders

csouders@cbs4qc.com

Funding cuts forced the Clinton Humane Society to leave stray animals on the streets, but that could soon change.  

It all started earlier this month, when the mayor decided not to renew a contract with the humane society, and after an unsuccessful attempt to override his decision last week, the city now has to start over.  

During the meeting, council members voted to hire someone who will take in all animals, including cats and dogs by the city's animal control officer.

"It's now been decided the type of animal care we want to have, which seemed to have been the biggest point of contention in what we're paying for, and what do we really want to provide,"said Clinton Mayor Mark Vulich.

This past fall, The Humane Society requested an additional $120,000 dollars to continue providing services to Clinton residents.

A request the mayor not only denied, but decided to end the city's contract with them.

Now, The Clinton Humane Society said they're hoping to compromise, "We will work with the city to come to a proposal that will work for everyone, and with an affirmative vote we will start taking animals immediately," said Sandi Bartels, with the Humane Society.

"I think they always have deserved a chance to submit something and they've never really been given that chance," said John Rowland, City Council Member.

And another council member we talked to said she's eager to hear what The Humane Society might be able to do without increasing the budget.

"I'd like to see it coming down out of the sky for their proposal. There's no way the city of Clinton could afford what they were asking for," said Maggie Klaes, 1st Ward Alderman.

City leaders said they are trying to move as quickly as possible to fill the position by placing ads in local newspapers.

They will look at new proposals as early as February 26th at the next council meeting.