Changes to county ordinances under consideration

On Tuesday, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners will meet for the first of two scheduled August meetings. 

On the agenda is the first reading and public hearing for a proposed amendment to the county’s animal control ordinance. Currently, the ordinance states that “If a dog or animal is tied or tethered it must have adequate shelter and bedding.”  The proposed amendment would add the phrase “in cold weather” to the end of that stipulation. The proposed amendment would also add the following paragraph: “If a dog/animal is kept in a kennel or cage, whether indoors or outdoors, the kennel or cage must be kept clean on a regular basis. Food and water, and shelter from the elements for those outside, must be provided. Shelter must also be sufficient to protect the dog or animal from severe cold weather and extreme heat.” 

Any owner or possessor not complying with the amended ordinance, if adopted, “shall be charged under this ordinance with the abuse of animals or cruelty to animals…”

Commissioners will also hear the first reading and public hearing for proposed amendments to the building and buildings regulations ordinance, with the sole change being the addition of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code to the list of minimum standards adopted by the State of Georgia which Stephens County enforces. 

Board members will readdress a sight-distance variance request from property owner Nicholas Burkes. Action on the request had been postponed at an earlier meeting for further research and study.

Also on the agenda is approval of the first-year purchase of EMA software in the amount of $5,160.

Invoices over $5,000 identified for Board approval include an Acree Oil invoice for $14,119.45, a second Acree Oil invoice for $10,191.06 – both under the Road Department, and a $166,000 invoice from RPSS/Motorola Solutions for a phone upgrade for EMS.

Board meetings take place at the Historic Courthouse, 37 West Tugaloo Street in Toccoa. Any public hearings begin at 6 p.m., with the meeting immediately following. The public is welcome to attend and there is a public comment period at the end of the meeting where citizens can address commissioners regarding issues of concern.

For more information, contact County Administrator Christian Hamilton at 706-886-9491, extension 9303.