Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Cocke CLB
Members of the Cocke County Legislative Body(CLB) meeting in a weather-delayed session Monday evening, voted for interim funding for the Friends of the Animal Shelter. The county and Newport have been discussing funding of the shelter, for the past six months, but both governmental entities say they are waiting on the other to confirm a funding contract. Both do admit that the contract now meets the requirements of government negotiators. Cocker County Sheriff Armando Fontes told the CLB that the shelter went out of its way to help his department recently when he had a situation involving aggressive dogs. CLB Chair Clay Blazer talked about a meeting with the Friends and the importance of having a place to take stray animals "It is the position of (Mayor Crystal Ottinger) as well as mine, that right now we don't have another place to take our animals. This something we need to do, because obviously if we don't enter into this contract, it hurts our position as far as animal control," Blazer told the body. Robert Brannon and Anne Fontaine of the Friends group argued for the county to contribute a monthly payment even though the city has not. But Blazer reminded the CLB that the Friends group had said the shelter could not be operated unless both governmental groups agreed to fund $100,000 each as required under the contract. Fontaine said if the city doesn't fund the shelter, the Friends may contract with an outside vendor which will pay for dogs which can then be sent to other states for adoption, and that way bring in the needed revenue. The body then agreed to fund December and January,t $8,333 monthly but to hold off on signing the contract pending further discussion. The Newport City Council is expected to take up the funding issue at it's February 13 meeting, and then the county General Committee will meet at 5 pm on February 15 for more discussions. Finance Manager Anne Bryant-Hurst told the body she has taken a similar position in another county, after 15 years in her current office. She will leave her post in February. She said it has been a privilege to work with the members of the CLB, saying "I appreciate how you worked together." Chair Blazer thanked Bryant-Hurst for her good work saying" your work made our job easier." The body also met in closed session with County Attorney Brittany Vick to discuss the Norwood litigation. In that case Don and Gaylelynne Norwood sued the county demanding the return of a bond they posted to ensure the construction of a road. The Cocke County Planning Commission says the required road wasn't built.


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