Commissioners discuss animal‑control ordinance language and approve removing some stop signs

Commissioners reviewed an animal‑control ordinance that the board has considered for several months and discussed citation authority and holding-time procedures; they also approved a change to local stop‑sign controls at a resident’s request.

On animal control, a staff member (S3) explained the draft ordinance contains a section (identified in discussion as 53.07) that allows deputies or animal-control officers who witness a violation to issue citations; copies of citations would go to the county attorney and clerk and, if unpaid in 10 days, would be filed as an ordinance violation for county enforcement. The draft also contemplates animal holding procedures (roughly a 72‑hour holding period) for animals whose owners cannot immediately retrieve them.

On traffic control, a resident asked the county to remove a four‑way stop at 450 North near the substation because motorists were not stopping and the signs were creating a hazard. Commissioner S4 moved to convert the intersection to a one‑way stop on 300 West and remove stop signs on 450 North; the motion passed after a second and a unanimous voice vote. Staff (S3) will prepare the formal ordinance and needs a precise location description to file the change in the record.

Why this matters: the animal‑control language outlines enforcement steps and timelines for stray animals; formal removal or conversion of stop signs requires an ordinance so the county has a legal record and clear enforcement posture.

Next steps: staff will prepare the ordinance language and location description for the stop‑sign change and route the animal‑control ordinance through the next steps in the county’s ordinance process and county attorney review.