CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Bradley County is on track to significantly boost funding in a proposed renewal of its animal sheltering agreement with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals of Bradley County.
The SPCA of Bradley County's initial two-year agreement, which cost the county $80,000 a year, ends on Feb. 28. The latest contract terms ultimately call for the county to pay $135,000 per year over a three-year period.
On Monday evening, the Bradley County Commission voted 11-2 to authorize Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis to negotiate the proposed terms of the new agreement.
Bradley County Commissioner Thomas CryCommission Chairman Louie Alford and commissioners Milan Blake, Terry Caywood, Thomas Crye, Mike Hughes, Johnny Mull, Charlotte Peak, Dan Rawls, Robert Rominger, Howard Thompson and Bill Winters voted "yes" on the measure; Commission Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber and Commissioner Bobby Goins cast the opposing votes. Commissioner Mark Hall was absent.
No discussion ensued about the county's private animal shelter solution, which has propelled a number of heated debates among commissioners over the last two years.
"We've gone the extra mile and concluded there is no less expensive way to provide animal sheltering services for the county," said Crye, who serves as a county representative on the SPCA board of directors, after the meeting.
Although Yarber said nothing during the meeting, he has consistently criticized the commission's actions on animal welfare services, including a 2013 decision to end a long-standing animal control agreement with the Cleveland Animal Shelter, last projected to cost more than $300,000 annually, but also including animal pickup service.
In October, Yarber was also in the minority when the Bradley County Commission voted to shelve the possibility of adding animal pickup services through the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
"We're going to do our dead-level best to provide the county with the best level of service possible," said Ed Elkins, a former county commissioner who has served as chairman of the SPCA board since September 2014. "We hope that our efforts will win over the commissioners who opposed the new agreement."
The new agreement continues to require the SPCA to provide animal sheltering services to county residents who live outside of the Cleveland city limits.
The proposed contract calls for the county to pay $40,000 to the animal shelter between Feb. 29 and June 30, equating to a $120,000 annual rate. On July 1, the annual contribution goes to $135,000. The agreement ends on Jun 30, 2019.
Elkins said the additional money will better enable the shelter to increase its public operating hours.
The SPCA facilities, located at the intersection of Johnson Boulevard and Washington Avenue, now are open four days a week for a total of 16 hours.
Adam Cotton, the shelter's last full-time director, resigned in September after citing concerns as to whether the county would renew its agreement with the organization.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.