The Staunton City Council voted unanimously Thursday to enter into a 10-year agreement with the Augusta Regional SPCA, a move that came in contrast to that of Waynesboro officials, who have hesitated to accept the organization’s latest funding formula.
After months of negotiation, the council accepted its share of the latest terms offered by the organization for services to Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.
The organization’s proposal is to charge the three jurisdictions $300,000 per year for service for three years, with Staunton’s share being $60,000. In subsequent years, the cost would be adjusted according to consumer price index figures but would not drop below $300,000.
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors signed an agreement about a month ago indicating its share would be $186,000 after exploring construction of its own shelter.
Two Waynesboro officials expressed concern about three weeks ago about signing a 10-year agreement, indicating they preferred a three-year contract.
The localities created a task force to create a new funding formula before the 2012 fiscal year after increasing their payments to the SPCA by 15 percent last year. The animal shelter had asked for a much greater increase.
In other business, the council unanimously approved its fiscal 2012 budget, which includes a real estate tax cut and pay raises for city employees.
The council also voted unanimously to install a pay-by-space meter in the Augusta Street parking lot and charge 50 cents per hour for parking 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents also can purchase reserved spaces for $35 per month.
Councilors agreed to charge patrons of the New Street garage who are not monthly parkers or overnight guests $1 each time they leave the garage outside of normal business hours.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement