March 4, 2019
Jim Evancho
Cheaha Regional Humane Society had their Calhoun County Contract to run the County Animal Shelter terminated on March 1, 2019. During the time they were running the shelter they were responsible for daily operations to keep the shelter running smoothly and to take care of the animals; in return they received almost $200,000, per year, of taxpayer funds from Calhoun County. In addition to those funds CRHS was able to request donations and additional financial support from outside sources due to being classified as a 501 (c) (3), not for profit, with the IRS.
In 2016 The City of Jacksonville made a funding allocation of $2000.00 towards the spay/neuter program being offered through CRHS. The City has been attempting to get a report from CRHS outlining how the funds were dispersed and when. In a letter dated November 13, 2018 the Jacksonville City Attorney sent a formal letter requesting an accounting of the money. According to the City Administrator, Albertha “Bert” Grant, there has no response from CRHS in regards to the letter or any previous requests.
We learned that one of the programs that CRHS was in charge of was the spay and neuter project for county residents. In 2016 they did offer the program after securing an agreement with Alabama Spay/Neuter. Alabama Spay/Neuter provided vouchers for their service prior to receiving payment and would submit an invoice for the vouchers that were used at a later time. The Jacksonville Journal secured copies of invoices issued by Alabama Spay/Neuter that were submitted to the County. ASN issued invoices each month from July of 2016 until February of 2017 for the procedures they completed through the vouchers issued by Cheaha. The total cumulative bill was $5,619.00 and had not been paid. Alabama Spay/Neuter did request that the County pay for the monies that were in arrears but were denied as Cheaha was the responsible vendor. According to the 2016 & 2017 CRHS financial report submitted to the County there was a balance owed to Alabama Spay/Neuter in the amount of $8,127.00 that was carried over from 2016 into the 2017 report. There has not been a 2018 report filed at this time. Alabama Spay/Neuter has changed their policy to now collect fees up front for vouchers.
Calls into Cheaha Regional Humane Society were unanswered.
The City of Jacksonville will continue their attempts to have CRHS supply documentation as to how the money was spent or may request the money be returned.
