$350K for Avoyelles animal shelter is available regardless of tax vote

By Amy Ducote

The $350,000 in state funding designated for an Avoyelles Parish animal shelter is available regardless of how residents vote on the Nov.3 parishwide tax proposition, State Rep. Daryl Deshotel confirmed this week.

The clarification comes as questions continue about the proposed shelter, including whether the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury has received the money and how a facility would be operated once established.

Deshotel told Avoyelles Weekly that the funding was included in House Bill 1, the state's operating budget, and became available July 1.

"This is actual state funding, not a proposed or anticipated appropriation," Deshotel said in a written response.

He explained that the appropriation is not contingent upon approval of the Nov. 3 tax proposition.

However, the state funding and the proposed parish tax serve different financial purposes.

"The $350,000 is a good start, but it is not nearly enough to sustain an animal shelter over the long term," Deshotel said.

While the state money could help establish a shelter, operating one would require continuing revenue for employees, utilities, veterinary services , food, maintenance and other expenses.

The Nov. 3 proposition asks voters whether to renew and rededicate an existing 4-mill property tax for 10 years, allowing revenue to support both parish public health units and an animal shelter.

The proposition estimates annual collections of approximately $787,600, but does not specify how much would be directed toward animal services.

Approval would authorize the use of tax revenue for shelter purposes but would not automatically result in a shelter being built or opened.

Deshotel said the state appropriation would remain available even if voters reject the proposition. However, he emphasized that operating and maintaining a shelter without dependable recurring revenue would be challenging.

Although the state appropriation is available, Deshotel said he could not confirm whether the Police Jury has actually drawn down or received the funds.

In a recent conversation with the newspaper, District 1 Police Juror Darrell Wiley said parish officials were not yet prepared to discuss the proposed shelter because funding arrangements had not been finalized.

Questions also remain about where a shelter would be located, whether an existing building would be renovated or a new facility constructed, who would operate it and what services residents could expect.

Deshotel acknowledged the need for a parish shelter and credited local animal rescue organizations for their continued work helping animals in need.

For now, the Nov. 3 vote will determine whether the existing property tax continues under the proposed terms, including authorization for animal shelter spending.

The $350,000 state appropriation is separate from that decision. What remains to be determined is how the money will be used and whether the parish can establish a sustainable plan to operate a shelter.