CATOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CATOOSA COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING
800 LA FAYETTE STREET, RINGGOLD, GA
FEBRUARY 5, 2008, 9:00 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING #1
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CATOOSA COUNTY CODE
CONCERNING FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES
Chairman Clark called the public hearing to order at 9:00 a.m. The following commissioners were present: William H. H. Clark, Chairman; Ken Marks, Commissioner, District One; Robert R. Winters, Commissioner, District Two; Jim Emberson, Commissioner, District Three; and Dewayne Hill, Commissioner, District Four.
County Attorney Chad Young stated the purpose of the Public Hearing is to invite public comment on a proposed Amendment to the Catoosa County Code concerning fire protection services. Attorney Young stated the proposed Amendment states that the language of Section 38-3 of the Official Code of Catoosa County shall be amended to read that fire protection shall be provided for the unincorporated area of the County by the fire protection department, which shall be under the supervision and direction of the County Manager or his designee, or through contractual agreements with other governmental entities or private operations.
Ron Goulart, City of Fort Oglethorpe Interim City Manager, stated it is the City of Fort Oglethorpe’s concern that the proposed amendment may negatively affect their service delivery strategy and possibly their State funding and requested the Board look into the issues before approving the amendment.
Commissioner Marks questioned how it could affect their State funding.
County Attorney Young stated it would not, that House Bill 489 states that service delivery strategy, County and Cities are to not duplicate services the County’s position is that they are going to provide fire protection in the unincorporated areas of the County and are not seeking to duplicate any services and the agreement provides that it can be terminated and the notice of termination has been sent.
Commissioner Marks questioned the reason for removing the names of the Catoosa Fire and Rescue, Post Volunteer, Ringgold Volunteers from the Ordinance and appealed to the Board that the names be left in the Ordinance instead of being removed.
ADJOURNMENT Chairman Clark declared the public hearing closed at 9:07 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING #2
PROPOSED FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE CATOOSA COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL
Chairman Clark called the public hearing to order at 9:07 a.m. The following commissioners were present: William H. H. Clark, Chairman; Ken Marks, Commissioner, District One; Robert R. Winters, Commissioner, District Two; Jim Emberson, Commissioner, District Three; and Dewayne Hill, Commissioner, District Four.
County Attorney Chad Young stated the purpose of the Public Hearing is to invite public comment on a proposed fee schedule for the Catoosa County Animal Control. Darla Proctor, Animal Control Director, presented the revised fee schedule for services provided at the Animal Control Shelter
Cherise Miller, Resident, said she is a firm believer in spaying and neutering animals due to their being so many people who do not take care of their animals and her concern is that when people adopt pets from the animal shelter even though they are paying the $60 it is not a guarantee that they will have the pet spayed/neutered and wants to know if there is any possibility that the pets can be spayed/neutered prior to the animal leaving the shelter for adoption.
Darla Proctor said that about 75% of those adopted actually have the spay/neuter performed and they are currently looking into the possibility of having the animal spay/neuter prior to it leaving the facility but there are problems with the Veterinarians office being backlogged and it taking much longer than a few days to have the operations performed.
Commissioner Emberson stated at first glance the fee for adoption seemed steep at $60, but has now been informed that the $60 includes a $50 fee from the Veterinarian to spay/neuter the animal.
Darla Proctor stated state law requires that any animal adopted from the shelter must be spayed/neutered.
Commissioner Marks said in an earlier discussion with Ms. Proctor, the cremation charges were in line with other operations that offer the services.
ADJOURNMENT Chairman Clark declared the public hearing closed at 9:15 a.m.