Crestview City Officials unanimously approved a charitable donation agreement Monday for $100,000 to benefit the Crestview Animal Shelter.

• The donation comes from the estate of Rita Chimiak through Royce Taylor, who is the residuary beneficiary of Chimiak’s estate. In exchange for the donation, the animal shelter will be named the “Rita Chimiak and Joan Sikes Animal Shelter” for a period of 20 years.

The donation agreement stems from negotiations that began after the city declined a specific bequest in Chimiak’s will. According to court documents, Chimiak’s Last Will and Testament included a provision for Taylor to discuss with the city using a portion of her property as a dog park, with the city maintaining the property and placing a sign mentioning Rita Chimiak and Joan Sikes as donors.

After the city declined to operate a dog park on Chimiak’s property, Taylor agreed to make the charitable donation instead. The funds are restricted specifically for the construction or remodeling of the Crestview Animal Shelter.

Interim City Manager Jessica Leavins explained that the donation is being processed through Crestview Unlimited, the city’s nonprofit organization that handles such charitable contributions, but the funds will go toward the animal shelter building itself.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the agreement, with one member absent. 
According to the donation agreement, the naming rights will commence when the “Rita Chimiak and Joan Sikes Animal Shelter” signage is placed on the facility. The donation is expected to be paid in full by July 31, 2025.