CLEVELAND, Tenn. — On Monday, one day shy of the first anniversary date of its move to a private solution for animal sheltering needs, the Bradley County Commission will vote whether to reopen talks with the city of Cleveland on animal control services.
Last December, commissioners voted 11-3 to approve a two-year agreement with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Bradley County. The contract covered animal sheltering services for county residents and animal pickups for the county’s emergency responders.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Commission Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber, who is sponsoring the measure and was one of three commissioners to oppose the SPCA agreement. “Secondly, it gives us a backup plan so we are not just left with nothing in case things do not work out with SPCA.”
Some commissioners closely associated with the SPCA have had an especially rocky relationship with the nonprofit organization, whose board of directors nearly fell apart this summer.
Commissioner Mark Hall, a county representative on the SPCA board, has made two attempts to end the agreement, which he has described as “a fiasco.”
Commissioner Charlotte Peak resigned from the SPCA board in the middle of its Aug. 18 meeting after Bobbi Anderson, the shelter’s second director, was fired over allegations of insubordination.
Since September, new board members have tried to overhaul operations while faced with a lack of volunteers and donations.
Yarber’s measure, should commissioners approve it, calls for Chairman Louie Alford to name two commissioners to serve on a joint ad hoc animal control committee with the city.
The vote follows a similar move made by the Cleveland City Council. City representatives include Councilmen Dale Hughes and George Poe and resident Rachel Veazey.
In related business, Commissioner Dan Rawls said he plans to address a recent breach-of-contract notice issued to the SPCA about its recent decision to accept animals only from county residents living outside of Cleveland.
On Dec. 1, commissioners voted 8-6 to issue a warning that gave the SPCA 30 days to remedy the situation. They rejected an Oct. 31 opinion made by County Attorney Crystal Freiberg that stated the SPCA’s policy to not accept city animals did not violate the agreement.
The SPCA shelter quit accepting animals from city residents Nov. 1, based on Freiberg’s opinion, which was given in response to a query made by Rawls.
“I’m going to take the opinion of the county attorney over that of an agenda-driven commissioner,” Rawls said. “She is professional and is looking out for our best interests.”
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.