Boarding fees will now be charged for pets taken to the Columbia-Marion County Animal Shelter after approval of a new fee schedule by the Columbia Board of Aldermen.
“We’re proposing the implementation of a new fee scale of $15 per day for routinely lost pets, quarantined or dangerous dogs,” Police Chief Michael Kelly said. “The new adoption fees for any dog, any size is $55 and cats any age or size will be $30. These fees will be used to help with the cost of care of the animals while they are in our facility.”
Kelly said the animals must be held seven days before adoption to give owners a chance to claim them.
“If they hold that dog for seven days, then it belongs to the shelter,” Ward 4 Alderman Mike Smith said. “After seven days, it belongs to the shelter and they can put it up for adoption. It’s a good policy and it’s proven.”
The current adoption fee is $20, and Kelly said the higher fees are needed to keep the shelter operational.
“Today a lady came out and adopted a puppy and she gave us a $20 bill and said that if she were to go to Southern Pines or another shelter, it would cost her $150,” Kelly said. “What we’re trying to do is cover the costs of what it is costing us to house that animal and to make sure it has quality care.”
Smith made a motion to accept the new fee scale and it was seconded by Alderman-at-Large Edward Hough. The motion passed unanimously and the new fees were slated to take effect this week.
The Board in other police-related actions approved the moving of veteran part-time police officer Adrien Fortenberry to full-time and followed Kelly’s recommendation to promote him to sergeant and a shift leader.
“He will replace Sgt. Jason Cook who is moving to the schools as a school resource officer,” Kelly said. “Adrien will come in as a sergeant.”
Fortenberry was present at the meeting and took a moment to greet each of the aldermen.
“I just want to thank y’all for the opportunity,” he said. “I think I can be a big help because I know a lot of people in the city and the county.”
The Board also approved hiring full-time dispatcher Adrianna Bourn and part-time animal control employee Rebecca Felber.
The Board also approved Kelly’s applications for grants from the Department of Homeland Security for various funding sources for equipment.
Old police radios were removed from the city’s active inventory so that they could be used as trades for several new radios that are compatible with the state’s MISWIN system.
The Board also voted to make several patrol units deemed unworthy repairing as surplus so that they may be sold at auction. The cars are older Ford Crown Victorias, including a 2005 and 2007s. An older Ford F250 truck will also be put up for auction.
Kelly also told the Board that four new handheld radios were being purchased that are compatible with the new system at a total cost of $6,643. Money for the radios will come from wireless communications money given the department by the state. The radios will be used by part-time officers.
The Columbia Board of Aldermen will next meet in regular session at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
