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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0521.016 2002-2004 ~~~afr ti~ / u4 i`iHti ~5r'I'1 3 HAWAII ISLAND SO~lli 1 I I N O 11 O L/ 1 p~ ~ C; ~ ~ ~l W _ J. Curtis Tyler, III Chairman, Finance Committee 3 25Aupuni St. ~ Hilo, HI 96720 - 0 o March 16, 2004 Mr. Chairman: Re: Responses to questions for budget from Hawaii Island Humane Society In support of my oral testimony given on Monday, March 15, 2004, I submit the following: Our budget request is approximately $100,000 greater this year than last year. I believe that the question of why the increase when: 1) One fewer officers this year than last; 2) Fewer intakes this year than last; and 3) More adoptions this year than last. Responses: I) When the request was made, we had an officer out on TDI and was unsure of her return. Thus the reduced number. She has since returned to work as authorized by her doctor and we are at full eleven member field staff. 2) Fewer intakes, we believe are a direct result of the Spay/ Neuter Community Assistance program - of which we are asking for an increase from last year so it will be even better. 3) More adoptions: This function is primarily funded by private donations and reflects some of the headway we have been hoping and working for. ! Z' . Comm. No• 7 Ref. To: Ref. Date 74-5225 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy • Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 • Telephone (808) 329-1175 • Fax (808) 329-4618 Keaau (808) 966-5458 • Kamuela (808) 885-4558 The actual areas accounting for the requested increases are: A) $33,000 A 5.2% increase in wages and related expenses. Increases for the past two years have averaged 2'/<%/yr. The shelter and field service staff are paid at the lowest pay scale of all the humane societ- ies in the state of Hawaii. B) $33,000 This represents an increase in auto expenses mainly due to the purchase of one truck ($25,000) and extra cost of maintenance and expected increased fuel costs. We have seven trucks and if we buy one per year, it must last seven years. At 40,000 miles per year it will have 280,000 miles at the end of its cycle. The price of gas alone at this mileage increases $7,000 for the 7 trucks for a year when the cost of fuel goes from 2.00/gal. to $2.50/gal. Other increases for oil, tires and repairs are also expected. C) $11,000 This increase in repairs and maintenance of facilities is mainly for the Kona shelter which is county owned. It was built in the 1970's by Mrs Greenwell on county land. Many of the metal pipes that are cemented into the concrete pad are rotted at the base and need to be replaced to make the kennels secure. Barriers, as recommended by the NACA report, need to be installed especially in the kennels used to hold the increasing number of evidence dogs being held for pending cruelty cases. D) $8,000 This increase in dead animal disposal expenses is requested to cover the increased cost expected of transporting dead animals from the closing Hilo landfill to the Puuanahulu site. E) $4,000 This increase in staff training is being requested to step up not only continuing training but increased levels to bring up our proficiency levels to meet an increasingly knowledgeable public and to enforce more meaningful animal cruelty laws. F) $5,000 This request increases the Spay/Neuter Community Assist- ance program which has tremendous public acceptance and has had a real positive effect on reducing our intake of animals. It is obvious that more sterilized animals result in fewer animals in general. G) $4,000 This increase in freight is requested as the distributor in Hilo which used to deliver the donated food for free will start charging now that they are not getting a credit fora "sale" as the manufacturer gives the food to us free of charge. The total freight costs are expected to exceed $12,000 per year, and the requested amount is the portion that is used to feed the animals during the required holding periods that are dictated by law. H) $8,000 This increase in kennel supplies cost is being requested to cover the increased care and medical expenses of animals being held as evidence for pending court cases. As these are cruelty cases, the animals usually need considerable health care and attention. The Kona shelter recently adopted out the last of three evidence dogs that had been held for almost a full year. (Note: the individual involved forfeited the animals, and as they were healthy after a year of care, we were able to adopt all three out. Four other dogs in this case were already dead when we arrived.) Additionally, the expansion at the Waimea shelter (funded by private donations and fundraisers) will add several more kennels for our holding capacity. Totals: $106,000 (Note: Other line accounts were reduced approximately $6,000 for the total approximate overall increase of $100,000 Prepared and Submitted by: ~ ~ Ronald H. Jenk' Executive Direc r Hawaii Island Humane Society cc: L. Elarionoff F. Holschuh, M.D. B. Jacobson J. Reynolds M. Tulang _ 2 ~~s~ .t 7 ~ ~ ~ `~A 0 S Q ~ N en V v ~ ~ , w x C ~ Q- ~ a 7 x .3 ~ Up $ x CJ v ~a~ 0 N ~ N ~n y ~ x