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Funding requested for animal adoptions
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET, Times Staff Writer INVERNESS -- Seeking to decrease the euthanasia rate at the Citrus County Animal Control center, about 30 animal lovers filled the County Commission chambers Tuesday to suggest a deal. The volunteers, many dressed in blue Humanitarians of Florida T-shirts, offered to spend their time promoting animal adoptions and efforts to spay and neuter pets. In return, they asked commissioners to consider additional funding for Animal Control in next year's budget to build a separate quarantine area for sick animals, a visiting room for people to play with prospective pets, additional staff and other initiatives. "How we treat our elderly, our children and our pets is how our society and the rest of the world judges us," volunteer Ron Smith said. The 5,028 animals euthanized at Citrus County Animal Control last year "could and should be greatly reduced," he said. Commissioners seemed receptive to the idea, saying they would consider additional funding for Animal Control during budget workshops later this year. "This is the way things get done," commission Chairman Jim Fowler said. "It's people that get these things done." The county could increase pet adoptions, with the help of volunteer hours, by extending the adoption hours at Animal Control and showcasing some of the animals at local festivals, said Marilyn Callahan, president of the local Humane Society. Only 19 percent of the animals that could be adopted actually are, she said. "Unless we are all willing to make an investment, the problem will grow," Callahan said. In other commission news: No-show fee increased: In order to put "more teeth" into the penalty, commissioners raised the fee from $2 to $5 for residents who request a ride with Citrus County Transit but are not there when the bus arrives at their door. The county saw about 2,500 no-shows last year, and with each trip costing the system about $10, the no-shows become a financial drain, commissioners said. Commissioners postponed a vote on other proposed transit fare increases, asking staff instead to research ways to increase efficiency and reduce the estimated $83,000 annual operating deficit. Private road paving program rolls forward: After reviewing a new legal opinion that says the county can charge special assessments to pave private roads, commissioners directed the staff to revise county regulations to move forward with the program. That does not automatically mean, however, that the county can pave all 22 dirt roads it planned to do last year. If the private roads fall on homeowners' properties, the county would need permission from all property owners along the street before work could begin, County Administrator Richard Wesch said. "Anything less than 100 percent participation can't be done," Commissioner Vicki Phillips said, noting that it may be difficult to get unanimous support from residents along any given street. "But we at least have to try." VA clinic help requested: Saying local veterans often wait six months to nine months for an appointment, commissioners passed a resolution asking Congress to expand services at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Inverness. Referendum decision questioned: Several citizens criticized the commission's surprise decision two weeks ago that rescinded the plan for a November referendum on whether the commission should move its meetings and offices from Inverness to Lecanto. "For those of you running for re-election, I suggest you check where the majority of voters are registered," said Dick Schnably, president of the Beverly Hills Civic Association. "Inverness is no longer the hub of Citrus County."
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