Council discusses animal control service delivery and adjudication under DeKalb County IGA; staff to refine intergovernmental language

Councilmembers held a discussion about animal control services after constituents reported inconsistent responses to attacks and dead animals. Councilmember Tammy Grama (Graves/Grimes in transcript) initiated the item and asked for clarity on the operational process when a resident reports an animal problem. City Attorney Thompson and city staff explained that animal control services are provided by DeKalb County under an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). The county responds to animal calls and writes citations under county code unless county animal‑control officers are sworn in to enforce the city’s ordinances in Stonecrest; if they are sworn in on the city’s side the city code would apply and the city’s municipal court could adjudicate violations. Staff said the IGA language on adjudication, citation handling and response expectations needs clarification and that the city is negotiating amendments to address adjudication venue, reporting and service‑delivery standards. The city manager’s office said staff and county counterparts regularly communicate about service delivery for public‑safety lines — including animal control — and that the city has urged the county to respond to animal attack incidents. Code enforcement staff said their role is to handle nuisance and property code issues, while animal control handles threats, animal removal and public‑safety incidents. Staff agreed to return with proposed IGA amendments and operational guidance to reduce confusion for residents and to clarify whether animal control citations would be heard in municipal court or in county court.