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■ <br /> 5 <br /> A request for $1,000 to assist TJCOG's Regional Systems Telephone <br /> Committee with their local area toll free tlephoneMse vice efforts was <br /> approved. A budget amendment will appear on <br /> meeting schedule. <br /> 12. AGREEMENT WITH INDEPENDENT OPINION RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATIONS,. <br /> INC. <br /> This item was deleted from the agenda. <br /> G. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA <br /> 1. RECONSIDERATION OF ANIMAL LICENSING FEES <br /> The citizens that spoke and their comments are listed below: <br /> WILLARD WARD referred to a letter from Geoff Gledhill dated <br /> January 6 which indicated that certain revisions to the Animal Ordinance <br /> would be the topic for a public hearing to be held on January 19. <br /> Commissioner Carey stated that two of the three items that were <br /> recommended by the Board of Health were adopted. These two items dealt <br /> with changing the size limits on kennels from 16 to 20 and changing the <br /> name of kennels. These two items were approved and the third item which <br /> dealt with the licensing fee schedule was referred back to the Board of <br /> Health. <br /> Attorney Geoff Gledhill clarified that although public hearings <br /> had been held on the Animal Control Ordinance that this is not the kind of <br /> ordinance that requires a public hearing. The fee schedule is not a part <br /> of the ordinance itself but is a separate fee tax that is imposed by the <br /> county that is independent of the Animal Control Ordinance. The changes <br /> that were adopted were adopted unanimously on the first reading. <br /> TED LATTA stated he had difficulty in getting a copy of the ordinance <br /> and requested that the ordinance be returned to the task force and that <br /> another public hearing be held on the ordinance. He feels the ordinance <br /> is not properly adapted to the County. <br /> Commissioner Marshall stated that copies of the Animal Ordinance are <br /> now available at the Health Department and have always been available in <br /> the County Commissioners office. She assured Mr. Latta that all <br /> information pertaining to this topic is public and open for public review. <br /> DAVID DAVIS spoke in opposition of a 200% increase in dog fees. He <br /> feels the Commissioners did not listen to those who spoke from rural <br /> Orange County and the increase in fees is to offset a $750,000 deficit in <br /> the County budget. He stated he would not pay the fees. <br /> VERN MILLER stated he disliked having to bear the burden of this tax. <br /> He noted that at the public hearings the majority of people spoke against <br /> the changes in the animal ordinance but the Commissioners did not listen. <br /> In response Chair Marshall pointed out that changes were made to the <br /> ordinance as a result of those who spoke at the public hearing and who <br /> were primarily from rural Orange County including the hunters. <br /> REVEREND BURRIE PINNIX spoke for the older population and the fact <br /> that those on a fixed income would have a hard time paying the fees that <br /> are proposed for dogs and cats. He stated that more animals would be <br /> abandoned and left to die or left for the farmers to take care of. <br /> BEN LLOYD stated that the people of Orange County were not aware of <br /> what was being proposed in the new Animal Control Ordinance and that ample <br /> opportunity had not been given for input from the citizenry. He asked the <br /> procedure for bringing this ordinance back to the Board and Chair Marshall <br />