ABERDEEN – After approving $4,000 for the construction of a facility for pit bull storage, the Aberdeen Board of Aldermen voted January 5 to spend an additional $1,500 to complete the project, located at the Aberdeen Animal Shelter. The request for the funds from Aberdeen Mayor Jim Ballard was brought to the board approximately two months after Ballard had requested the initial $4,000.

“I have looked at the cost for this and I think we could build one for between $3,500 and $4,000,” Ballard said at the November 3 board meeting. “This will be for a 4'x10' pen and if we have money left over or can do it cheaper, we will build another one.”

The $4,000 expenditure was used to build a total of three pens, one of which has been completed. The additional $1,500 will be used to buy doors for the remaining pens.

Although the board voted unanimously to approve the additional funding, some aldermen did express their concerns about the money.

"This is nothing against the animal shelter, but looking at the budget – this money is going to have to come from somewhere," Vice Mayor Cloyd Garth said. "Every meeting it seems we are putting out more and more money."

Ward Five Alderman John Allen also voiced his concerns over the money.

"Sure, this is a good cause," Allen said. "But we have already allocated the money for this."

Ward Three Alderman David Ewing made the motion for the financial approval, stating, "We have already started this, so let's finish it."