Mason County Sheriff Patrick Boggs said his office is willing to take over duties associated with the animal warden, minus operating the shelter.
The topic was among many items discussed Monday during a special meeting of Mason County Fiscal Court.
The move came following the retirement last month of long-time animal control officer Roger Mullikin. Mason County Judge-Executive Joe Pfeffer and Boggs said the appointment will be on a trial basis.
A portion of the funds appropriated for the animal control officer will be transferred to the sheriff’s office, Pfeffer said, to help cover salaries for deputies.
Boggs said it made sense to explore taking over the office since he or his officers are often the first ones on the scene when an animal-related call comes in.
Nearly half of his staff has taken on-line training for the position through the state and Boggs said he would be meeting with his deputies to discuss the situation on Monday.
In the meantime, current animal shelter staff will continue to oversee operation of the facility, Pfeffer said.
Commissioners also touched on the subject of a petition filed with County Clerk Stephanie Schumacher to dissolve the city of Dover.
Schumacher said she has certified the voter signatures on the petition, which is more than the 20 percent of city voters who voted in the last presidential election required by law. There are 197 registered voters in Dover, she said.
County Attorney John Estill said he is now awaiting certification from the city that is it free of long-term debt. If that is the case, then the question will be placed on the ballot in the November General Election.
Pfeffer said he agreed to meet with Dover city officials at their next meeting on Sept. 24 to discuss the proposal and to explain the county’s responsibilities if the issue is approved.
Also Monday, commissioners approved tax rates for the 2018 fiscal year at 22.9 cents per $100 of value for real estate, 24.5 cents for tangible personal property, 16 cents for motor vehicles and 24.5 cents for aircraft. Those are compensating rates and should generate $2.4 million in revenue, an increase of $100,000 over last year, Treasurer Kim Muse said.
Commissioners also held the first reading of an ordinance designed to bring the county’s sign regulations into compliance with content neutral sign standards. The city adopted similar legislation recently. A second reading is set for commission’s September meeting.
In other business, commissioners:
— Learned the tax rate approved by the Health Taxing District. That rate is 7.5 cents per $100 for real estate and 7.5 cents for motor vehicles.
— Learned the tax rates approved by the Mason County Extension District. Those rates are 3.972 cents for real property, 4.1765 for personal property and 2 cents for motor vehicles.
— Discussed the Col. Charles Young cabin and property and agreed to establish a 10-member advisory committee for the property and landmark.
— Agreed to donated $5,000 to the May’s Lick Negro School to help with a matching fund grant from the Hayswood Foundation and to pay for a brass plaque for the building which is a Rosenwald School and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
— Heard reports from the sheriff, jailer, landfill supervisor, road supervisor, animal shelter and recycling and solid waste,
— Heard introductions from new Maysville Mason County Tourism Director Lacey Holleran and Mason County Librarian Steve Parrott.
— Approved an agreement with Northern Kentucky Regional Hazmat.
— Approved participation in the flood control matching funds program.
— Approved the annual settlement from the treasurer.
