Letter to the Editor:
Citizen’s perspective on Cassville’s dog problems
September 25, 2019
Once again, Nadean Davis has come before the Cassville City Council complaining about dog problems, and the attack that her daughter suffered. Most likely, the city council will think of some way to ignore these complaints. As we all know, this is nothing new.
The dogs that attacked Kristy Preddy had been the topic of a municipal court case only a few weeks earlier, and in that case, I and my wife were the initial individuals filing the complaint, as the owner of these dogs lives next door to one of my rentals. While awaiting the trial date, another complaint was filed by a woman who had been attacked while walking her dog.
Only a couple of years ago, a loose dog attacked a smaller dog being walked by its owner. The smaller dog had to be put down, and still the city council did nothing.
Apparently, one city council member made the comment that it would cost $200,000 or more to implement and fund an animal control ordinance. But let's take a look back in history.
Back when Beavers was the city administrator, Cassville had an animal control program, and we also had, and still do have, a small animal shelter to serve as a pound. The city was licensed, and we had a full-time employee who served as the animal control officers. What happened? Well, most likely the city council chose to spend the money elsewhere, just like they commonly have done in the past.
At this time, I would like to call on the city council to explain where they got the $200,000 to fund the animal control issue at that time? I have no doubt that we will find that $200,000 is an inflated number.
The subject of a sales tax was brought up to fund such a program, but thankfully, Mrs. Davis objected to this. After all, it wasn't that long ago that the voters approved a 3/8 cent sales tax to fund re-surfacing all the city streets with hot mix. This tax raises around $300,000 to $400,000 a year.
At the time it was implemented, the quoted price for hot asphalt was $103,000 per mile, and around $23,000 per mile for chip and seal. But the first year that this was budgeted (2016) instead of the $320,000 that was raised from the tax, the city budgeted $230,000 for resurfacing, which was only around 70 percent of the amount raised by the new sales tax. Little did we know that after the sales tax was passed by the voters, the council would choose to spend a fair portion of the collected funds elsewhere.
Where did the rest of it go? The city bought new vehicles, hired more employees, bought a new mower for mowing the rights-of-way, not to mention several other expenses, and much of this came out of the street fund.
For example, in 2014, funds budgeted for the salaries of street employees was $65,439, yet in 2016 this number jumped to $116,810. Also in 2014, operating expenses were $60,351, and in the 2016 budget, it was $82,024. But there's more. In 2015, it was estimated that the city would resurface 10-12 miles of streets every year. Yet, to this day, I doubt this has ever been achieved.
So if anyone thinks that a sales tax is the solution to the stray dog problem, think again because one thing is for certain and that is the city council will not budget the funds as the voters intended.
Mrs. Davis and other concerned citizens should start a petition to put the issue of diverting 25% of the 3/8 cent street sales tax to fund animal control. Let's let the voters decide if the funds are being spent wisely.
It we start taking away the misappropriated funds, perhaps the city council will start being more respectful of the taxpayers' wishes.
If you agree with this, make your voice heard.
-Gail Purves
Once again, Nadean Davis has come before the Cassville City Council complaining about dog problems, and the attack that her daughter suffered. Most likely, the city council will think of some way to ignore these complaints. As we all know, this is nothing new.
The dogs that attacked Kristy Preddy had been the topic of a municipal court case only a few weeks earlier, and in that case, I and my wife were the initial individuals filing the complaint, as the owner of these dogs lives next door to one of my rentals. While awaiting the trial date, another complaint was filed by a woman who had been attacked while walking her dog.
Only a couple of years ago, a loose dog attacked a smaller dog being walked by its owner. The smaller dog had to be put down, and still the city council did nothing.
Apparently, one city council member made the comment that it would cost $200,000 or more to implement and fund an animal control ordinance. But let's take a look back in history.
Back when Beavers was the city administrator, Cassville had an animal control program, and we also had, and still do have, a small animal shelter to serve as a pound. The city was licensed, and we had a full-time employee who served as the animal control officers. What happened? Well, most likely the city council chose to spend the money elsewhere, just like they commonly have done in the past.
At this time, I would like to call on the city council to explain where they got the $200,000 to fund the animal control issue at that time? I have no doubt that we will find that $200,000 is an inflated number.
The subject of a sales tax was brought up to fund such a program, but thankfully, Mrs. Davis objected to this. After all, it wasn't that long ago that the voters approved a 3/8 cent sales tax to fund re-surfacing all the city streets with hot mix. This tax raises around $300,000 to $400,000 a year.
At the time it was implemented, the quoted price for hot asphalt was $103,000 per mile, and around $23,000 per mile for chip and seal. But the first year that this was budgeted (2016) instead of the $320,000 that was raised from the tax, the city budgeted $230,000 for resurfacing, which was only around 70 percent of the amount raised by the new sales tax. Little did we know that after the sales tax was passed by the voters, the council would choose to spend a fair portion of the collected funds elsewhere.
Where did the rest of it go? The city bought new vehicles, hired more employees, bought a new mower for mowing the rights-of-way, not to mention several other expenses, and much of this came out of the street fund.
For example, in 2014, funds budgeted for the salaries of street employees was $65,439, yet in 2016 this number jumped to $116,810. Also in 2014, operating expenses were $60,351, and in the 2016 budget, it was $82,024. But there's more. In 2015, it was estimated that the city would resurface 10-12 miles of streets every year. Yet, to this day, I doubt this has ever been achieved.
So if anyone thinks that a sales tax is the solution to the stray dog problem, think again because one thing is for certain and that is the city council will not budget the funds as the voters intended.
Mrs. Davis and other concerned citizens should start a petition to put the issue of diverting 25% of the 3/8 cent street sales tax to fund animal control. Let's let the voters decide if the funds are being spent wisely.
It we start taking away the misappropriated funds, perhaps the city council will start being more respectful of the taxpayers' wishes.
If you agree with this, make your voice heard.
-Gail Purves
Disclaimer:
The editor of the Barry County Advertiser reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of the Barry County Advertiser or its staff. Email your letters to [email protected]
The editor of the Barry County Advertiser reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of the Barry County Advertiser or its staff. Email your letters to [email protected]
