LEWISBURG — Following yet another contentious discussion, the Greenbrier County Commission voted 2-1 Tuesday evening to sign a contract with the Humane Society to continue operating the animal shelter for another six months.

“I think we need to examine what our priorities are,” said Commissioner Michael McClung, who voted against the contract.

Judith Walz-Harris, president of the Greenbrier Humane Society, promised the commissioners, “We will run the animal shelter in the most financially responsible manner possible.”

When that statement prompted applause to break out among the 70-plus people in attendance at the meeting, commission President Betty Crookshanks admonished the crowd, “We need to act like we’re supposed to.”

McClung said he believes the average county resident shares his dismay at the cost of maintaining the animal shelter.

“People on the street, in the barbershop, are shocked and angry,” he said.

The Humane Society’s current contract for managing the shelter — which includes salaries, record keeping and the intake, care and feeding and disposition of animals — is assigned a maximum annual budget of $240,000.

Significantly, that figure does not include utility costs, which all agree are substantial.

The new contract, which will run from Jan. 1 to July 1, is for $110,000, with the utilities included.

If the contract were annualized, it would be $220,000 per year — or $20,000 plus the cost of utilities less than the current contract.

For clarity’s sake, the commissioners asked Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Via to explain exactly what the county is required by state law to provide by way of animal control.

“Greenbrier County has a dog warden,” Via pointed out.

Because the county employs that animal control officer, it is obligated by statute to provide a dog pound and the necessary equipment for the officer and the pound, Via said.

If the county chooses to designate a privately-run shelter — which Greenbrier County has with its use for the past 10 years of the Humane Society-owned building — then the county must allocate “reasonable compensation” for services.

“From a legal perspective, you have the obligation of paying the Humane Society reasonable compensation,” Via told the commissioners.

Acknowledging “we are financially strapped,” Commissioner Karen Lobban nonetheless stated, “I do not want to see Greenbrier County go backwards.”

She added, “I think if we all work together, we can make it all work,” and moved that the six-month compromise contract be approved.

After some temporary confusion about whether the county would be expected to honor the financial terms of the contract if it were signed — at one point, Crookshanks turned to Lobban and murmured, “She (Walz-Harris) expects us to find the money” — a vote was taken, and only McClung opposed the motion.

— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com