Broward County Commission Public Hearing


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AI-16645 6.       
Meeting Date: 05/13/2014  
Director's Name: Joni Armstrong Coffey
Department: County Attorney  
Requested Action

MOTION TO CONSIDER enactment of an Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CARE AND ADOPTION PET RETENTION AND REDEMPTION PROGRAMS; AMENDING SECTION 4-28 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"), TO PROVIDE CIVIL PENALTY AND FEE PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR PET OWNERS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
 

ACTION:  (T-3:07 PM)  Filed proof of publication and enacted the Ordinance to become effective as provided by law. The Board directed staff to include the provision for field officers to provide a one-time warning and return to owner of pets found close to home.  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
 
VOTE: 9-0.
Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of April 22, 2014.
What Action Accomplishes
Amends Section 4-28 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances to provide civil penalty and fee payment options for pet owners.
Is this Action Goal Related
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On March 18, 2014, the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") directed the Office of the County Attorney to prepare an Ordinance amending Chapter 4, "Animals," of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, to provide authority for Animal Care and Adoption Division staff to offer pet owners options regarding payment of civil penalties and fees in order to achieve a higher rate of family pet retention and redemption from the County shelter with the intent to lower shelter intake and increase positive outcomes for family pets.

The proposed amendments address aspects of the County's Pet Retention Program that impede successful reunification of animals with their owners. The amendments would authorize civil penalty and fee payment options to help pet owners avoid a "forced surrender" of a family pet due to lack of available funds. Upon enactment of the proposed Ordinance, it is anticipated that the number of animals surrendered to the County shelter will be reduced, and there will be an increase in live outcomes for those animals that do enter the shelter.

The proposed amendments to Chapter 4 support the Board's Resolution No. 2012-271, which was adopted on April 3, 2012, aspiring to become a No-Kill Community. On April 11, 2014, the Broward County Animal Care Advisory Committee voted unanimously to support and recommend that the Board enact the proposed Ordinance.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary:
Fiscal Impact Statement by Office of Management and Budget attached as Exhibit 2.
Attachments
Exhibit 1 - Copy of Proposed Ordinance
Exhibit 2 - Copy of Fiscal Impact Statement

    

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