Letter to the editor

Former council member speaks

Dear Pea Ridge Taxpayers,

The city is considering a Dog Pound proposal that is not in our best interest.

I served on the City Council for six years, ending 2014. I am an analyst and I love my town. I only have 500 words, so contact me for more information including a spreadsheet of costs. I have contacted three out of four councilmen concerning the proposal.

I used the 2014 statistics for Pea Ridge animal services. I did make some assumptions due to new items, but used the most conservative estimation.

In 2014, the city spent $6,400 on 116 animals for the entire year. This proposal will:

• Cost $27,000/year; more than quadruple 2014 costs. That is more than the Parks or Library budgets.

• Include a $12,000/year retainer that none of the three councilmen understood; $60,000 for five years of apparently nothing. That is enough to finish out the front room of the library, almost pay for a splash pad, or go a long way towards a senior center.

• Have the city hold the contractor and his business harmless. The city attorney was quoted that this is prohibited. Why would a city even consider that and make taxpayers foot the liability bill?

• Require the records be closed/sealed. The Freedom of Information Act and the State Attorney General's website clearly defines these as public records. Lack of oversight is one reason the city is in this situation.

• Be a five-year contract; regular reassessments allow for better oversight. It should be a two-year contract maximum. What is the city's plan if the contractor chooses to one day cancel the contract? Take the time NOW to reevaluate the city's animal control procedures and services.

My understanding, there was not a formal bid from the vet to renew his contract for animal services. Obviously, he doesn't want the job. This proposal was a voluntary submission but it's highly probable that a city representative went and asked it be submitted. If I did not want the job, and was asked again, I would submit a really high proposal, too. I don't blame the vet, but I expect more from my city.

I expect my elected representatives to vote NO for this proposal because it is a bad proposal. I don't care that is the only one. Did the city ask for proposals from other veterinarians or Humane Societies once the door was opened to voluntary submissions? City officials are responsible to provide a proposal based on competition. All three councilmen know this is a bad proposal.

I don't like to complain without offering a solution; I want the mayor, police chief and council know that I am available to help. I have already researched options.

Mr. Cottingham, Mr. Easley, Mr. Guthrie, and Mr. Sanders, as the elected representatives of the people of Pea Ridge, I ask you be courageous and vote NO on this very expensive and bad Dog Pound Proposal.

Nadine Telgemeier[email protected]Pea Ridge, Ark.

Editorial on 08/12/2015