Piedmont residents will soon begin to see fewer strays around town as city officials were finally able to secure a shelter to take in the animals.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the city council agreed to offer Calhoun County Animal Control, formerly Cheaha Regional Humane Society, $1,500 per month to accept an unlimited number of stray animals.
According to Mayor Bill Baker, the shelter is willing to accept any reasonable offer.
“We are definitely going to be serviced as one of the municipalities in their service area,” said Mayor Bill Baker.
Additionally, Baker said that the council had the option of paying a set monthly amount or a fee per animal. With the large number of strays being captured, some 30 animals a month in previous years, a monthly fee seemed to be the most cost effective.
Council Member Doug Dickeson believes the council should take it a step further without passing the animal control cost onto city residents at large.
“I still think we should look into some sort of leash law or getting your pet registered,” he said, adding, “It’s not a dog problem. It’s not a cat problem. It’s a people problem.”
In other business, bills for payment were approved in the amount of $282,583.25.
The council accepted a $3,660 bid from B&T Lawncare to continue providing grass cutting services at Highland Cemetery for another year.
The next regular Piedmont City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16th, immediately following the work session, which is set for 5:30pm.