T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON HARRISON COUNTY Sheriff Ronald Myers waits Wednesday for Harrison County Commissioners Dale Norris, Paul Coffland and Don Bethel to approve a grant application that would provide about $9 million toward the new $13 million jail project.

CADIZ — The Harrison County Humane Society is hoping to curb the feral cat population with a new spay/neuter, catch and release program.

As part of this program society members on Wednesday asked Harrison County Commissioners Dale Norris, Paul Coffland and Don Bethel to consider allowing them to house the cats temporarily while they are healing from their surgeries at the Harrison County Dog Pound.

Humane Officer Linda Williams said she would only need two kennels that are not being used by the dog pound. She said it is separate from the dog kennels.

Humane society officials such as herself would take care of the felines, Williams noted.

When asked by the commission if she had contacted the dog pound officials about this idea, Williams said they were not in favor of her idea. The commissioners said they would talk to the dog pound officials, too, before making a final decision.

Williams said the humane society would not need funding from the county to conduct their program, just the space. The humane society receives donations to help feed the cats and purchase litter. They have funding from the Mary Ford Trust covering the cost of the surgeries.

Commissioners expressed concern that people might believe the dog pound was going to start taking or adopting cats, but this would not be the case, Williams said.

Williams’ colleagues, Linda Porter and Lori Mayher, also talked about how important it is to curb the stray and feral cat population in this humane way.

The spaying of one cat can potentially prevent 30 new kittens from being born.

After the animal is healed, the cat is released back to where it was picked up. It was noted feral cats, though they typically cannot become pets in a home, provide a service in that they help keep the mice and rodent populations down.

“We have a feral cat problem in Harrison County. I’m getting calls day and night,” Williams said. “The humane society runs on a shoestring budget. We don’t have the money to build a facility.”

Williams noted herself and some of her colleagues are already fostering cats in their homes, but they do not have any more room in their houses.

“They wouldn’t have any responsibility over the cats,” she said of the dog pound workers.

In other business, the commission approved applying for funding from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for a new county jail.

Sheriff Ronald Myers said the county is applying to receive $9,124,020 for the new jail that is anticipated to cost a total of $13,034,315 to build. The county will provide a 30 percent match via use of local government funds.

The 21,156-square-foot facility will include “60 beds, eight single cells and 12 dual occupancy cells that can also be used as single cells and 40 dorm style beds,” according to the application. The jail is also described as “a modern, staff efficient, full service jail” that will meet current standards.

The county’s current jail was built in 1925 and is the second oldest jail to still be in use in Ohio. The application notes the current jail did not meet several standards required today. The new jail will meet the current requirements including allowing for classroom areas for inmates with mental health, medical and drug/alcohol issues.

Myers noted having a new jail will allow the county to hold more prisoners in Harrison County instead of having to move them to other facilities. Not having to do transports, he added, will keep his deputies on patrol in the county that encompasses 400 square miles.

In other matters, the commission approved appointing Carolyn Kibble of Cadiz to fill the unexpired term of Mike Miller on the Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Miller has moved out of the county, which means he can no longer serve on the board.

Kibble is a retired teacher from the Indian Creek Local School District and is chairwoman of the Harrison Metropolitan Housing Authority. Her appointment was recommended by Stephen Williams, superintendent of the Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Commissioners agreed that Kibble will do a good job on the board.