A delay looks like it will prove costly. 

When it comes to an expansion at Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center, the county now needs $90,000 for work that was originally offered free of charge.

During December’s meeting of the county Health and Welfare Committee, Commissioner Blaine Wilcher stated that Superior Walls owner Stacey Harvey would not be able to provide some of the expansion work he originally planned to do as a donation.

“Unfortunately, prices have risen over the last few months since he first discussed donating what is the largest portion of the building,” said Wilcher in December. “Stacey said, at this time, unless something changes, his donation will be substantially lower. He said it may just end up being the walls, but I don’t understand exactly what that means.”

Groundwork was part of that exclusion, said Wilcher when he presented estimates of $80,000 and $90,000 to committee members this month.

“It’s looking less and less feasible that we’ll get this expansion,” said Wilcher. “I get asked out in the public quite a bit ‘What happened to the expansion?’ and I’m hesitant to answer. I don’t want to give a definite, because I want to be hopeful.”

In April 2020, Harvey had equipment at Animal Control prepared to begin groundwork on expansion of the facility – a donation he offered the county a year prior. Harvey pulled his equipment from the area and moved onto other projects when County Executive Jimmy Haley asked to see his permits.

Wilcher says, unbeknownst in April 2020, permits weren’t required.

“Originally, we were held up on permits,” said Wilcher. “With Stacey being an alderman now, he’s checked and there are no permits required between municipalities. So, that wouldn’t have been an issue. There’s no permits required between the city and county. Maybe this expansion will work out in the future. I guess for now it’s not going to happen.”