After a three-year long search that was delayed repeatedly by the global pandemic, Hamilton County finally has an official mascot: Hamilton the Llama.
In late 2019, the Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution calling for an official county mascot. Two committees were then formed: A Hamilton County Mascot Search Committee and a Hamilton County Mascot Naming Committee.
A total of $150,000 was initially approved by the County Council for this project, but with the COVID-19 delays and various cost increases related to safety protocol and technology upgrades for remote meetings, the budget required expansion each year of the pandemic.
A combined statement released by the Hamilton County Council and Commissioners earlier this week indicated that funds from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) could be used to offset some of the cost.
“CARES Act funds will allow us to bring this project to completion without Hamilton County being forced to settle for a second- or third-class mascot,” the joint statement read. “We are grateful that the federal CARES guidelines contain contingencies for projects like ours so we can bring this llama to the county without increasing local taxes.”
Much of the original $150,000 was allocated for hiring an Indianapolis-based consulting firm, Hoosier Mascot Consulting, LLC, to assist with the search.
Hamilton the Llama will be seen in every city, town and township in Hamilton County at events throughout the year.
Funding this project was increased by $250,000 to cover mascot food and housing for five years and the employment of one full-time mascot public relations trainer to help ensure whatever animal was chosen would learn the appropriate tricks and other behaviors necessary for him, her, them or it to appear at public events. (The llama’s pronouns have yet to be determined.)
Another $600,000 was needed to bring the full cost of Hamilton up to $1 million so the headline for this clearly false April Fools’ story would catch our readers’ eyes.
Happy April Fools’ Day, Hamilton County.