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The City of Elizabethtown recapped the city’s activities last year with the release last week of their 2024 Annual Report.
The report states that the city’s budget in 2024 came in at just over $119.7 million. That budget supported the hiring of additional employees, bringing the total number of city employees to 375, and supported public works activities such as the installation of nearly 21,000 feet of new natural gas pipelines and the paving of more than 12 miles of city streets.
The report states that the city’s wastewater treatment facility increased capacity by 19 percent in 2024. The city’s planning and development department approved 458 building permits and oversaw more than $211 million in construction activity in the city.
The Elizabethtown Police Department responded to nearly 33,000 calls in 2024, and the Elizabethtown Fire Department expanded its training capabilities with a $513,000 live fire training facility. Safety improvements on U.S. 31W resulted in fewer fatal and injury collisions.
Completed capital projects in 2024 included improvements at Freeman Lake Park, phase one of the Buffalo Lake connector trail, completed gas well restoration, and Hawkins Drive sewer upgrades. Projects on the books for 2025 include the extension of Commerce Drive, sidewalk lighting and street improvements on the south end of the city, the completion of Fire Station No. Four, and renovations at the Elizabethtown Police Department.
The annual report can be viewed in full on the city’s website.
Springhaven Inc. Assistant Director Shonna Sheckles says the organization’s partnership with Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter over the past year has provided peace of mind for domestic violence survivors as they are faced with a difficult choice.
“Our survivors, when they come to us, they have pets, and a lot of people look at their pets as their children and they don’t want to leave, but due to our partnership with FOHCAS, now people are able to know that they can bring their pets and their pets be safe and they be safe as well,” Sheckles said.
Sheckles says 13 survivors with a total of 24 pets were able to leave their abusers and get their animals out of dangerous situations in 2024 through the partnership.
“FOHCAS is able to board the animals while the survivor is at the shelter,” Sheckles said. “The pet owner can have visitation with their pet, so it’s not like you’re handing your pet off to a stranger.”
FOHCAS is able to get the pets up to date on their shots while under their care. Springhaven is able to offer services to survivors without fear of financial burden.
“There is no cost for anyone to come to Springhaven,and there is no cost for anyone that has a pet for FOHCAS to board and take care of their pet during the time that they’re at the shelter,” Sheckles said.
The partnership is limited to cats and dogs. Organizations and individuals can support the program financially by visiting www.fohcas.org.