Fulton County Threatens to Halt Animal Control Services in Atlanta Over Payment Dispute
In an escalating conflict over costs, Fulton County leaders have issued a stern warning to the city of Atlanta – settle the payment issue by April 3rd or face cessation of animal control services. They claim that Atlanta is not paying their ‘fair share’ of the costs and this dispute has led to threatening to halt all services within the city limits.
Long-Standing Dispute over Costs
Back in July, Fulton County flagged all 15 cities with an announcement of increased charges for animal control services. The revised Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) reflecting this price hike was later dispatched in October. Fulton County Chairman, Robb Pitts, stressed that this move shouldn’t be perceived as a surprise.
While every other city has agreed to the new IGA, the city of Atlanta remains the sole non-compliant party. Upon inquiry from local news, a spokesperson from the city ambiguously noted that they were anticipating resolving their differences with the County.
The Price Sticker Shock
According to Pitts, the reluctance of Atlanta to sign the new IGA probably lies within the significantly raised cost expected. The new charges have leaped from around $2 million to over $6 million. The increase is said to account for the rising costs involved in supplying the services. Fulton County’s District 2 Commissioner, Bob Ellis enumerated that prices for pet care essentials, such as pet food and medical care, have surged by 25% to 30% in the last couple of years.
The Legal and Fairness Stakes
Echoing the gravity of the situation, Ellis stressed the possibility of illegality if the county continues the provision of services without an IGA. The State constitution’s gratuity clause prevents services without financial compensation, and operating without a contract generally contradicts state law.
In a conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Pitts made it clear that renegotiating the amounts isn’t an option. He argued that it would be unjustified towards the other 14 cities who signed their IGAs and are currently paying their agreed amounts.
The Potential Implications
With Atlanta being the source for 55% of all calls received by the Animal services, this dispute could have significant implications for the city’s animal population and local residents alike. It remains to be seen how this controversy will resolve itself by the looming deadline of April 3rd.
