The Virginia City Council voted Oct. 28 to approve payment of an outstanding Mesabi Humane Society invoice contingent on reimbursement from St. Louis County.

City attorney Brian Lindsey told the council that the county agreed to reimburse the city for roughly $29,000 related to animals attributable to county tax-forfeited property. Lindsey credited St. Louis County’s land department and Commissioner Keith Nelson for facilitating the county’s commitment.

Councilor Bach Schneider moved to approve payment to Mesabi Humane Society contingent on receipt of funds from the county; the motion was supported and carried. Councilor Johnson said she was not comfortable authorizing payment until the city had the county check in hand; councilors nonetheless supported the contingent approval.

Pam said staff would coordinate receipt of the county funds and that the contingency language would remain on the record.