By: Nathan Bloechl — nathanb@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, Iowa — Both the city of Humboldt and Humboldt County are entering into an agreement to pay out $4,250 each to pay for a parcel of land many believe will be the next place for an animal shelter, in Humboldt County.
Both the city and county agreed to the terms at their regularly scheduled meetings Monday morning and afternoon.
The parcel of land is by the Pro-Cooperative Elevator in downtown Humboldt.
The lot is to the north of the elevator.
While the supervisors were told by Bill Hanson, who acts on the Animal Control Board, that the property was zoned properly with city code, that turned out to be untrue.
Humboldt City Administrator Travis Goedken said the property is only zoned for livestock animals and would need to be re-zoned.
The council did agree to go through the re-zoning process, which Goedken mentioned could happen still this week or into next.
At a prior meeting, Hanson did mention the Animal Control board did have a mock-up of a potential building, but he said this week the next step is finding financing.
Said Hanson, “We’re pretty confident, we have to be confident if we want this to work. It’s the first step [in a long process] we’re moving as fast as we can on it.”
Meanwhile, animal control officer Merri Hanson will continue utilizing Denise Johnson’s property which has been acting as interim. Johnson’s property is three miles west of Humboldt.
“It’s a super savings for [the Animal Control board]” said Bill Hanson.
There is no timetable as to when a building could be erect.