Mayor: City's Responsibilities Much Larger Than Just Funding CAS

Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins says the city and Laramie County are asking the Cheyenne Animal Shelter for financial transparency as they decide whether or not to stick with their decision not to renew their long-standing contract with the shelter.

"We have tried working with the Animal Shelter tirelessly for the past two years as they have asked for more money from both the city and county. However, they have failed to produce the documents to show us where the money goes. We have countlessly asked for an itemized explanation of how taxpayers’ dollars are being spent, and each time they have refused," the city said in a March 9 Facebook post.

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Collins says the city paid the shelter their ask of $320,000 in 2020 and $350,000 in 2021, but that number went up to $528,000 in 2022.

"The letter we were sent on February 10, 2023, raised that number an additional 53 percent to $812,500 from the city," Collins said in his March 10 Mayor's Minute column. "The letter also informed us that the number would have to go up an additional 40 percent in the subsequent contract."

The Mayor’s Minute from Mayor Patrick Collins – March 10th

The city says it has attempted several times to discuss the different thoughts on how city/county dollars should be spent, but the shelter has remained adamant about staying its course, even going as far as saying, "This is the price, and if you don’t like it, then do it yourself.”

"The city’s responsibilities are much larger than just funding the shelter and the 53 percent increase they are asking for," Collins said in his March 17 Mayor's Minute column.

The Mayor’s Minute from Mayor Patrick Collins – March 17th

"The economy is tough, and we know it will probably get tougher," Collins added. "Nevertheless, we must take a broader view of all the funding requests the city will need to support in the upcoming year."

Collins says they will continue to communicate with the shelter and hope for a successful conclusion.

For more information about this story, check out our earlier posts:

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Source: Mayor: City’s Responsibilities Much Larger Than Just Funding CAS