By By Lisa Tindell – news writer
Roaming animals in East Brewton may be on a short leash if the town's city council can work out a deal with the Humane Society of Escambia County.
Renee Jones, director of the Humane Society, proposed an annual fee to the City of East Brewton to be responsible for animal control within their jurisdiction.
Jones said funding for the society comes from payments from other municipalities served by the group.
Jones said the breakdown of animal rescues and seizures in 2006 show that 22 percent of those taken were from the City of Brewton; 44 percent from Escambia County at-large; 18 percent from Flomaton and 15 percent from East Brewton. The total number of animals sheltered in 2006 was 2386.
Jones said based on the population of the City of East Brewton, the directors are suggesting an annual fee of $25,000 to aid in operation of the shelter as well as handle all animal control calls for the city.
Although Clark agreed with Jones that animal control is certainly needed, the fee suggested to the council was out of line with the city's current budget.
Jones said she understood the position of the city and realized that a negotiation may be needed to work out details.
In other business, the council: