Athens City Council voted to eliminate the city's unfilled Animal Control Officer position at yesterday's meeting.
The city did not fill the position after Animal Control Officer Lana Planisek retired about a year ago because city officials felt that they weren't sharing the costs equally with county commissioners, said Councilman Jim Sands, D-at large.
During her employment, the city paid 50 percent of her salary, all of her benefits and bought her patrolling vehicle, Sands said.
It's nothing personal
said Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward, adding that the Athens Police Chief and Captain decided they did not want to fund the position.
Planisek's responsibilities included investigating illegal kennels, catching stray animals, aiding and catching injured animals, working in the Athens County Dog Shelter and patrolling the streets in both the city and county.
Several city officials are trying to negotiate with county commissioners about adequate animal control within the city.
Right now the system is broken said Mayor Paul Wiehl.
The county wants Athens City to pay about $25,000 a year to continue animal control services.
Some council members feel that city animal control is part of the county dog shelter's responsibility, Wiehl said, adding that the dog shelter receives $41,000 in dog tag funds from city residents each year.
We are not going to rehire at this point and we are unsure whether or not we'll renew the contract with the county Wiehl said.-
Sands said.
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Caitlin McGlade
