By Kim Thompson
Staff Writer

Meeting in regular session on Tuesday, Fayette council members discussed protocol for retrieving dogs from the dog pound.

They also approved giving away six family passes to the city pool this summer.


There may be a change in policy for re-claiming dogs held in the city dog pound. Council member Marquise Francis related two developments that have made it untenable for PAWS (Pet Adoption and Welfare Service) to take responsibility for animals that are not claimed from the dog pound: the Central Missouri Humane Society began refusing to accept animals outside of Boone County in November of last year and since then, PAWS foster families have become overwhelmed with foster animals.

Francis pointed out that it was relatively costly for a pet owner to retrieve an animal from the city dog pound. There is a $25 - $50 fine for allowing one’s dog to run loose and a boarding fee of $5 per day the dog is in the pound. Further, Francis pointed out that some pet owners, rather than pay the expense of retrieving their animal out of the pound, find it cheaper to simply “go out and get another dog.” Thus the city is left with the cost of euthanasia ($65 or more) and the possibility of yet another animal which may face the same fate as the first.

Francis suggested the money customarily collected for pick up and boarding be repurposed toward the cost of neutering, vaccinating for rabies and tax/license fee. The remainder of the cost would be paid by the city. “When the animal is spayed or neutered, it is less likely to want to roam.” Ninety percent of the animals that are impounded are not neutered.

Council member Bobby Robb suggested, and the council concurred, to implement a different policy for a period of time and reevaluate the change later. Draft policies will be developed and brought to the council at a later meeting. Mayor Kenneth O’Brian commented on the effectiveness of the city working in partnership with PAWS: “There was a time when there were packs of dogs running through town.”


“The best way to promote health is through public policy,” Tony Cook, president of the Howard County Health and Wellness Council and nurse family practitioner at University Physicians, told council members. He encouraged the council to help promote the health of its citizens by matching the Howard County Health & Wellness Council’s gift of $500 toward family pool passes.

After Cook’s talk, council members authorized giving six families season passes to the city pool. Families must demonstrate financial need and will be considered on a first-come, fist-served basis. Each family pool pass is worth $80 making the city’s gift worth $480.

Along with the city and the Health & Wellness Council, the Fayette Firemen will give one pass and Council Member Michael Pope will give one pass. In the past, the Fayette Rotary have given as much as $2,000 toward pool passes.

Operating costs for the city pool consistently run at a deficit of about $15,000 each season. Expenses are about $22,000 and revenue from ticket sales add up to about $7,000.


Pam Huttsell, president of Fayette Main Street, reported on the organization’s continued efforts to improve the downtown area. Projects include placement of new trash cans around the square, work to establish the downtown area as a Local Historic District, create printed and web-based materials promoting Fayette and Howard County, continue “Shop Local” campaign, sponsor a second Fayette Fun Fest on May 15 through 17.

In 2013 FMS was awarded a two-year grant worth $23,500 from Missouri Main Street. The grant funds have been used for training in downtown revitalization efforts.

In other business, council members:

• Accepted a bid for harvesting hay at D.C. Rogers Lake for $3,011 from Lola O’Brian.
• Accepted a bid for mowing the Fayette City Cemetery for $1,070 from David Asbury.
• Accepted a bid harvesting hay at the city wastewater treatment facility for $3,572 from Mike Hustedde.