Clarksville Town Council Special Meeting Ratifies Animal Shelter Agreement on January 28, 2025
Clarksville Town Council Special Meeting – January 28, 2025
The Clarksville Town Council held a special meeting on January 28, 2025, to ratify a three-year interlocal agreement with the Jeffersonville Animal Shelter for animal control services. The meeting included discussion, a vote, public comments, and council remarks.
Public Comments
- Jen Fuller Renfro (resident of 22 years) expressed gratitude for the agreement, described catching 19 stray dogs near her home in the past year, and urged the council to form a citizen advisory board to address root causes of the animal welfare crisis. She also supported Mayor Hodges’ call for a fiscal board with representatives from all municipalities.
- Jeff Donelle (resident, 1801 Emerald Court) thanked council members for asking tough questions about taxpayer dollars, urged better communication from both sides, and referenced a nearby financial scandal as a cautionary tale.
- Lauren Perry Rent Lynch commended the council for diligent work on budget questions, noting specific council members’ contributions, and emphasized the need for transparency and a seat at the table for Clarksville in shelter oversight.
- Aaron Sizemore (president of Hart Hume, from Harrison County) spoke about the ripple effect when one county lacks animal services, stressed that shelters are full and euthanizations occur daily, and urged all municipalities to share responsibility. She noted the shelter’s 92% no-kill rate.
Discussion Items
- Ratification of Resolution 2025-R03 – The interlocal agreement with Jeffersonville Animal Shelter for three years. Councilwoman Boiner expressed discomfort with the lack of detail in the contract, particularly the missing budget number, which made it difficult to assess each municipality’s share. She compared it to buying a house without knowing the total cost. She supported Mayor Hodges’ call for a board like the 911 board to give each community a voice. Despite her questions, she made the motion to accept the agreement. Councilman McEwen seconded.
- Council Comments – Several members addressed the public:
- Councilwoman Schiller acknowledged the public’s valid feelings due to missing information, apologized that the council had not communicated effectively, and read a statement she had shared with her district. She voted yes because the service is needed and praised shelter volunteers. She also criticized Mayor Moore’s abrupt decision to end services, urging residents to contact him about forming a board.
- Councilwoman Boiner reiterated her vote “no” was against the document, not the shelter, and she supports the shelter and volunteers wholeheartedly.
- Councilman Stotts thanked Boiner for asking tough questions, affirmed he voted yes despite disliking the numbers, and invited residents to future meetings.
- Councilwoman Henderson echoed Schiller and thanked attendees.
- Councilman McEwen complimented both sides for working it out and noted that questioning is normal in council processes.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2025-R03 (interlocal agreement with Jeffersonville Animal Shelter) was approved by a vote of 6 in favor, 1 opposed. Councilwoman Boiner cast the sole dissenting vote due to missing budget details.
- The council ratified the signature already made by the town, entering into a three-year commitment for animal shelter services.
- Multiple council members called for improved communication and a future oversight board with representation from all participating municipalities.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. We'd like to call to order the special meeting of the Clarksville Town Council. The date is January the 28th of 2025. First by saying that thank you everyone who came this evening for your presence and your participation. There was a lot of disinformation that circulated on social media. So just wanted to make mention of that. And also make everyone aware that last week the interlocal agreement was signed with Jeffersonville Animal Shelter. And what we're here to do tonight is to ratify that signature and enter into that three year commitment. Services to animals in the town of Clarksville never never ceased. So I want to make that clear too that we continue to have services every single day. I guess reason that we had hesitation was it was never about the animals, but it was about the process and the agreement that was presented to us. Unfortunately, there still are a lot of unanswered questions. But at the end of the day, we're here to do what's right, not only for the animals, but also for the residents of Clarksville. So please just be aware that it was never about the animals, but it was about the interlocal agreement itself. So what we're gonna do first this evening is go ahead and ratify resolution 2025 R03 for animal shelter services. So seeking a motion to approve. Discussion, please. Discussion from Councilwoman Boiner. First of all, I'd like to I I'm the one that had asked a lot of questions, so I'd like to make explain why I did. Um as the person who the people have voted in for a good steward of their tax dollars, it is my job to ask the tough question, hopefully, to get the and hopefully get the answers that to help make those informed decisions. A level of comfort in signing a document or entering into any agreement where pertinent information has been omitted, there lies my hesitation for voting in in favor of this uh contract. I would like to state for the record that I am very uncomfortable with the level of details, and I do believe the services are beneficial in all of our communities. I am a huge believer of supporting the animals and the shelter. And I'd like to one of the one of the toughest things that a lot of people haven't understood is what's what's the deal with the contract. And the best example I can give is if you're looking to buy a house and you come to me and you say, Hey Jennifer, I'd like to buy a house, and I look at you and say, Okay, $2,000 a month here, sign this. I would like to think that you would have a few questions, like how much is it? That's where I stand. How much is it? We have no idea what that budget number is. And with that, since we don't know how much that shelter budget number is, is the only question I've asked it's not the only question I've asked, but it's the most important one I've asked. Without that number, it's very difficult to say who's paying what percentage or how much that percentage is. What is that final number? So I will say that uh Mayor Hodges out of Charlestown has it right when she stated in her video message on Facebook. And if you've not seen it, it's well worth watching. Uh she said the animal shelter shelter should have an oversight of a board similar to the 911 board. Each entity involved should have a say in what happens on to the animal shelter. Every community should have a voice. Thank you. Mr. President, I'll make the motion to accept the interlocal agreement as presented. Motion from Councilman McEwen. I'll second. A second from Councilwoman Schiller. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say aye. Aye. Aye. That motion carries unanimously. It's an A for me. I'm still an A. I'm sorry.
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