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7 <br /> A second proposal by Commissioner Carey which was referred to the <br /> County Manager for implementation next fiscal year was to consider a <br /> spay/neuter subsidy which would reimburse all or part of the cost for low <br /> income individuals who have their animals spayed or neutered. <br /> Commissioner Willhoit raised concern about the portion of the <br /> ordinance dealing with enforcement that will reduce the animal population <br /> and expressed his doubts that an increase in the fees charged placed the <br /> emphasis in the right place. He emphasized that reducing the number of <br /> dogs that will be registed will not meet the overall objective. While the <br /> tax should be progressive, tripleing the fee is one year may be excessive. <br /> Commissioner Hartwell spoke in support of lower licensing fees in an <br /> effort to reduce the economic impact on the rural residents of the County <br /> and supported a program which would offer incentives to have animals <br /> sterilized. <br /> A substitute motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by <br /> Commissioner Willhoit to change the licensing tax that is presently in <br /> place to $7 .50 for unspayed or unneutered dogs, $5.00 for dogs spayed or <br /> neutered and $3 .00 for unspayed or unneutered cats and $2.00 for spayed or <br /> neutered cats with no cap. <br /> Commissioner Carey expressed his concern that the fees as suggested in <br /> the substitute motion would not be high enough to reduce the number of <br /> unwanted animals in the county which is the intent of the ordinance. <br /> After further discussion it was decided that the impact of the <br /> ordinance will be evaluated twice a year when the report is received from <br /> the Animal Control Director and if the intent of the ordinance is not met, <br /> the ordinance and the fees as part of the ordinance will be revised. <br /> Commissioner Willhoit emphasized that the hardship issue falls on <br /> those people who have multiple dogs and who register those dogs. Because <br /> of the small number of people who register their dogs, the fee will not <br /> make any difference. He suggested that the emphasis be placed on doing a <br /> more effective job of getting those dogs registered that are not <br /> registered and that emphasis be on the amount of the penalty for a dog <br /> that is unregistered. <br /> VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION: <br /> Ayes, 3 ; Noes 1 (Commissioner Carey) <br /> The substitute motion thus becomes the main motion. <br /> VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION: <br /> Ayes, 3 ; Noes 1 (Commissioner Carey) <br /> NOTE: Since the vote on the main motion was not a unanimous vote, the <br /> second reading of this motion will be submitted for a vote on March 1, <br /> 1988. <br /> The County Manager was requested to make a recommendation on the effective <br /> date of this amendment and how to handle those who have already paid their <br /> animals taxes and if an additional penalty should be imposed for <br /> nonregistration. <br /> 5 MINUTE RECESS <br /> 2. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE <br /> Chair Marshall presented for discussion a suggestion that an <br /> intergovernmental committee be convened of all the elected officials in <br /> Orange County who want to participate to meet at least twice a year but no <br /> more than four times a year. Out of this group would come subcommittees <br /> with a definite purpose or charge. It has been suggested that the first <br />