BATTLEFORD — Town council in Battleford has voted in favour of increased funding to the Battlefords Humane Society, although the amount is not as high as what was requested.
At their council meeting Monday, council voted for $6,000 in the operating grant for 2023, an increase of $1,250 from their annual grant of $4,750 but well short of the $12,000 the organization had requested.
The Humane Society’s manager Michelle Spark presented the organization’s request for an increase in the grant from the town. In making the request for up to $12,000, Spark noted this was the first request for an increase since 2016.
Increased costs are behind the request. The Battlefords Humane Society provides around-the-clock pound service to the town and other communities. The process of holding the animals for five days and providing vaccinations, deworming, food and other services comes to an average of $100 per day per animal.
The indication from town council members was that they were hesitant about approving the $12,000 amount. Mayor Ames Leslie told Spark “everyone in this room is a little shell-shocked by the ask today.”
Instead of agreeing to $12,000, the recommendation from administration was to support a more modest increase in funding to $6,000, and that was approved and passed by council Monday.
This increase would apply to 2023. The consensus from council was the $6,000 amount was reasonable, but for future years the indication is the town would like to see more statistics from the humane society.
