TITLE: Title
Consideration of Proposed Changes to the Unified Animal Ordinance
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to allow the Board to discuss, and possibly adopt, amendments to Chapter 10 of the Town of Carrboro Code of Ordinances, such amendments to become effective upon Orange County’s adoption of a unified Animal Control Ordinance, which will create a common framework for animal services while allowing for some specific provisions that are unique to the Town of Carrboro and other jurisdictions.
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DEPARTMENT: Police Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Chief Walter
INFORMATION: : On April 7, 2015, the Unified Animal Ordinance (UAO) was presented to the Board. After the presentation, Board Members had questions about the appeal process as it pertains to Carrboro. Staff was asked to ensure that Carrboro’s Animal Control Board of Appeals could still function in its current role as stated in Carrboro’s Animal Control Ordinance section 10-38. Orange County Staff made a change to the UAO to reflect this change, see Attachment A.
The Board also had several other questions or concerns they wished addressed by staff before they considered adopting the UAO. Orange County Attorney Annette Moore answered these questions in a memo. See Attachment B.
It is anticipated that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will adopt the unified Animal Control Ordinance within the next month. Therefore, we have prepared (a) An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 of the Carrboro Town Code (Animal Control), and (b) a Resolution Authorizing Orange County Animal Control Ordinance to be Applicable within the Town of Carrboro. The proposed Ordnance and Resolution by their terms will be effective on the effective date of the proposed revised unified Orange County Animal Control Ordinance so that there is no “gap” in regulation between the time we adopt the Chapter 10 amendments and the time the County adopts the unified Animal Control Ordinance.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: The unified animal ordinance has no financial impacts in and of itself. Because it does not create new laws but rather brings together the best elements of existing ordinances, its enactment will not entail additional services or additional layers for existing services. To the extent that there is a unified ordinance in the county for the first time, it is hoped and expected that that service will become more effective and efficient as a result of there being more coherence and clarity about the general regulatory framework for animal care and control in the county.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Board review and, if appropriate, approve the Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 of the Carrboro Town Code and the Resolution Authorizing Orange County Animal Control Ordinance to be Applicable within the Town of Carrboro .
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