White Hall ends contract with Fire Dept. on building
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By Carmen Ensinger
The White Hall City Council voted at their may meeting not to renew their contract with the White Hall Fire Protection District on the building they used to own that is now owned by the Fire Protection District (FPD) and houses the city pound.
First, a little history. When the (FPD) was formed, the city turned the building, which houses the fire trucks, over to the FPD, but the FPD had to pay the city for it. The FPD has now paid the city in full for the building.
Now that the FPD owns the building, they want to start charging the city $275 a month to keep the dogs there in winter (heating costs included) and $200 a month for summer.
White Hall Mayor Brad Staats explained the situation to the rest of the council
“I had a meeting with the FPD President Scott Seely and they want us to enter into a five-year contract with them,” Staats said. “The contract was either $1,000 or $1,200 a month. Right now, we are out of the contract completely. We used to own the building and when the fire district took over we turned everything over to them.”
The vote to end the contract with the fire department was unanimous with the exception of newly elected alderman Ryan McMillen, who abstained.
The Mayor and the council had other ideas about where to keep the dogs. Their dog catcher, Jack Wallis, offered to keep them at his house, since he is equipped with cages.
“He has already talked with the state licensing person and had everything changed to his address if we accept his offer,” Staats said. “We are already paying him $700 a month as our dog catcher and he is willing to move everything to his house if we pay him $300 more a month and that will include his own fuel and food for the dogs.”
It was noted how Wallis goes out of his way to find homes for the animals he picks up and how he never puts any of the animals down, except if the animal is dangerous.
Wallis has performed this service for the city for many years and the breakdown comes to $250 a week. Taking into account that he will also pay for his fuel and the dog food out of the $1,000 per month makes it even less. Added in the stability he has provided the city over the many years he has served and it is well-worth the additional $300 per month to ensure the city has a dog catcher.
When it came time for a vote, it was unanimous with the exception of one no vote from McMillen. Voting yes were newly elected alderwoman Pam VanMeter and aldermen Norman Coad, Sue Vinyard, David Meldrom, Rick Cox.
There was a motion on the agenda to charge a fee if home owners requested water or gas meters to be moved. Currently, there is no charge for meters to be moved unless there has to be a new tap installed. The issue was tabled for now until an appropriate fee could be discussed for the move.
Also tabled was a motion for modifying user rates for water and sewer rates.
