Spencer County Fiscal Court authorizes negotiation of animal removal contract

Spencer County Fiscal Court voted Jan. 27, 2020 to authorize County Judge Executive John Riley and the county attorney to negotiate and enter into a contract with Hardin County Animal Removal LLC for removal of dead animals.

The authorization came after a presentation by Kevin Estes, owner of Hardin County Animal Removal LLC, who appeared with Anderson County Judge Executive Orbrey Gritton and provided a draft contract to the magistrates. The minutes state the actual contract was not available at the meeting.

The company’s proposed cost to the county is $29,940.00 per year plus a sliding-scale "composting fee" to be paid directly by the animal owner based on the weight of the animal being picked up. Magistrates received the draft but were not presented a final contract document at the meeting.

Esq. Travis moved to allow the judge and county attorney to negotiate and enter into the contract; Esq. Beaverson seconded. The recorded vote listed Ayes as Esq. Brewer, Esq. Beaverson, Judge Executive John Riley and Esq. Travis, and Nays as Esq. J. Moody and Esq. M. Moody. The motion passed 4–2.

The minutes further record a subsequent motion by Esq. Travis, seconded by Esq. Beaverson, that the special called meeting be adjourned; that motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

Next steps, as reflected in the minutes, are for Judge Riley and the county attorney to complete negotiation and, if appropriate, enter into the contract. The minutes do not specify a timetable for negotiation or a contract effective date.