County commission to discuss animal shelter funding, again

The future of the Nye County Animal Shelter will be decided next week as officials plan to discuss the troubled sanctuary's finances.

On Tuesday, Nye County commissioners are set to deliberate on the extension for temporary kennel assistant and budget for the cost of food and supplies for the shelter for three more months. The total amount comes to $7,660 and is expected to be funded out of contingency money.

The shelter was given a two-month lifeline in September, when commissioners approved $7,588 to man the shelter that had been closed to the public for the last several months but is still receiving animals that animal control officers are bringing in.

Recently, members of the Nye County Animal Advisory Committee worked out a list of recommendations for Nye County commissioners that specified several short and long-term funding options.

Some of the propositions included asking the towns of Nye County to share the cost of maintaining animals in the shelter that are awaiting disposition by the courts, parcel assessments and taxes.

Meanwhile, Nye County Animal Control Officer Levi Gregory said without the kennel assistant the shelter would be "in trouble."

Nye County Commissioner Frank Carbone couldn't provide the exact amount of money left in the contingency fund ahead of the Tuesday meeting, but said officials also will be looking for a new source to provide shelter funding.

"I don't know what the new source is going to be, but we are going to look for it," he said.

If the money for the shelter's funding is not available, Carbone said Nye County's largest sanctuary may close its doors.

Nye County Commission Chairperson Lorinda Wichman declined to comment ahead of the discussion.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77