County Commissioners Approve Animal Control Officer Changes

The Macon County Board of Commissioners met on September 19, 2016, voting to cut the county’s Animal Control position from 40 hours a week, to 30 hours a week, and to only respond to dog complaints. 

The motion to do so, followed the news that the City of Red Boiling Springs is canceling its animal control contract with the county, effective October 1, 2016. 

According to Macon County Mayor Steve Jones, the position of animal control officer was originally 30 hours a week and only included dog complaints, but when the City of RBS signed on to receive assistance, the position’s hours and services were adjusted. 

“The county commissioners feel like the position should go back to 30 hours and that the animal control officer should only respond to dog complaints now that the City of RBS has canceled their contract,” stated Mayor Jones. 

The motion carried on roll call (6 no’s and 12 yes’s) to change the Animal Control position back to a 30-hour work week and only respond to dog complaints.

Voting against the motion were commissioners Phillips, Witte, Warf, Brawner, Stevens and King.

According to Macon County 911 Director Phil Russell, dispatchers have been updated on the new ‘dog complaints only’ policy.

“They’ve been instructed to only dispatch the animal control officer out on dog related complaints,” Russell remarked. “Dispatchers will refer residents to a state department when it comes to Issues involving livestock, such as reports of malnutrition. And in instances that require public safety and law enforcement, law enforcement officers will be dispatched.”

The full minutes from the meeting are as follows:

•Notaries Public elected by acclimation were Diana Carter, Christina Chambers, Frank Farrar, Rick Gann, Joyce Gregory, Boyd Morrison, Kristen Reid, Rickey Shoulders, Timothy Smith, Laura Steen and Karen Tuck. 

•Minutes were approved for the following meetings: Legislative Body 8/15/16, Planning Commission 7/19/16, Animal Control Committee Meeting (with correction of the chairman) 8/15/16, Emergency Services Committee Meeting 8/15/16, Committee of the Whole 9/12/16.

•The motion carried to approve the following budget amendments: #1 Register of Deeds, #2 County Clerk, #3 Sheriff Dept., #4 Solid Waste, #5 Circuit Court – Reserves, #6 Chancery Court, #7 Tourism, #8 County Buildings, #9 Other Charges – Insurance Recovery, Fairgrounds. 

•The motion carried on roll call to approve Resolution #9-77/2016 Solid Waste – Recycling Grant Resolution. 

•The motion carried approve Resolution #9-78/2016 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

•The motion carried to approve the Comptroller Budget approval letter for the property purchased at 29 Weldon Drive. 

•The motion carried on roll call to approve Mayor Jones setting up a CCP Committee to work with CTAS and TCI.

•The motion carried on roll call (6 no/12 yes) to defer hiring a female correctional officer until the newly formed CCP Committee has time to meet. Voting against the motion were commissioners Snow, Gammons, Jenkins, Phillips, Carter and Brawner.

•The motion carried on roll call to accept Likens Roofing bid of $8,450 for the Red Boiling Springs Library rood repair. 

•The motion carried on roll call to Red Boiling Springs’ request to cancel their contract for Animal Control. 

•The motion carried on roll call (6 no/12 yes) to change the Animal Control position back to a 30-hour work week and only respond to dog complaints. Voting against the motion were commissioners Phillips, Witte, Warf, Brawner, Stevens and King.

•The motion carried to approve the Codes Enforcement/Impact Report. 

•The motion carried to approve the Sheriffs Department Financial Report.

•The motion carried to defer the request for help with paint for the Old Bellevue School to the donation list at budget time and defer to the next meeting.