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Everman considers overhaul of animal-control code, adds animal-control officer
Summary
City staff presented proposed ordinances to update animal-control regulations and fees, including microchipping and an adoption voucher program; staff also swore in a new animal control officer and said the animal-shelter advisory committee supports the changes.
The Everman City Council discussed proposed ordinances to modernize the city's animal-control code and to add municipal animal-services fees during its Jan. 14 meeting, while staff ceremonially swore in a newly hired animal control officer.
City staff introduced Melinda "Mindy" Henry with a swearing-in ceremony; Henry was sworn as an Animal Control Officer for the City of Everman. Staff said the hire brings the department to full staffing and provides additional experience for response and investigations.
City staff then reviewed two related draft ordinances (Ordinance No. 826 and Ordinance No. 827) meant to align Everman's code and fee schedule with partner municipalities participating in the municipal animal-services program. Ray Renschler, who spoke for city animal services, said the package would emphasize spay-and-neuter programs, microchipping and clearer rules for dangerous animals. "We want to increase our spay and neuter," Renschler said, and added the city plans to issue vouchers to adopters so they can have animals sterilized: "They'll get a voucher when they adopt from us as well."
Renschler told the council the animal-shelter advisory committee reviewed the drafts and "voted and agreed" to proceed, though he said staff would check the advisory-board minutes to confirm the formal record. He described operational steps staff plans to take if the ordinances proceed, including walk-in microchipping events and door-to-door outreach in problem areas to register animals.
The draft fee schedule would add fees tied to monitoring and registration for dogs declared dangerous and would fund spay/neuter vouchers. Renschler said adopters must provide veterinary proof of sterilization and that staff follow up with vets; citations could be issued if adopters do not comply.
No final vote to adopt the ordinances was recorded in the meeting transcript. Council members spoke in support of the staff work; one councilmember commended Renschler for coordinating code alignment across two cities. Staff said they will bring any formal ordinance adoption back to council for a vote and will check advisory-board minutes for a formal recommendation.
The discussion combined a personnel update and code review and did not produce an immediate ordinance adoption; the items remain before the council for future action.
