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Paradise grills animal control officer over costs, then renews contract By
Allison Johnson
Paradise renewed its animal control contract Wednesday, but not before the control officer had to field questions about whether the town was getting its money's worth. "I think we need to re-evaluate the amount of money that we are spending on animal control," Karen Rinderkenict, a council member, told John Black, the animal control officer for Avon, Hyrum, Paradise and Smithfield, who attended the City Council meeting. Paradise has been paying Black $1,200 a year for his services, which have included spending four hours a week checking for licensed dogs and transporting non-licensed dogs to North Cache Kenneling. "I don't feel like we are really getting our money's worth. It looks to me like your time is spread too thin across all the different towns and we need someone who can give us more than four hours a week," Mayor Lee Atwood said. Black answered, "I am planning to resign from Smithfield in June, which will allow me to spend more time in Paradise." The money being spent at North Cache Kenneling is also a concern for the council. North Cache charges $7.50 per day and a fee of $10 for euthanazation and a $15 disposal fee. If Black picks up a dog and its owners do not get the dog within three days, Paradise is stuck with the cost of housing the dog for those three days and putting them to sleep. "I checked on prices at Blacksmith Fork Veterinary Clinic in Hyrum, and they are a few dollars cheaper than North Cache and a lot closer," Rinderkenict said. "If we can save some money by taking the dogs to Blacksmith Fork Veterinary Clinic, I think we should do so. It would save us money as well as saving people the time of driving all the way to North Logan," said Dave Anderson, a council member. Atwood said he would be willing to renew the contract if the council amended it to say Black would spend at least 10 hours a week in Paradise and take the town's dogs to Hyrum rather than North Cache. "I would be happy with that as well, and I will get a copy of resignation form Smithfield for you sometime next week," Black said. Aaron Cranny motioned to sign the contract as it was amended. Dale Anderson seconded the motion. The council then voted unanimously in favor of rewening the contract as it was amended.
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