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Public pushes for animal control shelter and ordinance; staff estimates near $600,000 to build pound, work session set
Summary
A public commenter urged a dog pound and an animal control ordinance; staff and the county attorney said drafting an ordinance and putting a shelter in place will require public hearings, permitting and significant funding — roughly "a little less than $600,000" was cited as a starting estimate. The board scheduled a work session to craft a draft ordinance.
A resident told the board the county needs to address stray animals and urged creation of a dog pound and an ordinance to regulate animals. “I was informed we have to have a dog pound before we can have an ordinance,” the commenter said and provided suggested county‑owned locations.
Staff and the county attorney explained options: short‑term arrangements with neighboring counties to house animals, a model ordinance from Pike County to adapt, and a caution that establishing a pound involves permitting and substantial expense. The county attorney said the estimated cost to create a pound and related facilities was "a little less than $600,000," and that any local ordinance would require two public hearings before adoption.
Staff noted creative interim solutions, such as temporary holding agreements with nearby counties and shared arrangements, but emphasized recurring costs for operation and the need to define holding periods and hearing procedures for animals declared vicious.
The commission agreed to schedule a work session (March 3 at 4:00 p.m. was proposed and seconded) to review a draft ordinance and gather public input before moving toward public hearings.
Separately, a business representative from DAPT Services LLC addressed cleaning contracts and litter pickup, asking to be included in rebids for county building cleaning and litter‑pickup contracts; staff agreed to add the company to future bid notices.
Why it matters: Animal control policy affects public safety, liability and recurring operating costs; establishing a shelter is capital‑intensive and requires community input and permitting. Re‑bidding cleaning contracts affects small businesses currently providing county services.
Next steps: The board scheduled a work session to begin drafting the ordinance; staff will prepare a draft ordinance and options for interim sheltering agreements and send bidders notice for cleaning contracts.
