The Fulton County Commission rejected a motion on Wednesday to resume animal control services for the city of Atlanta without a contract because it would expose the county to liability.
“On April 10, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to continue its suspension of animal control services within the city limits of Atlanta until Fulton County is provided with a fully executed intergovernmental agreement,” a county spokesperson told Rough Draft in a statement on Thursday.
County Attorney Soo Jo confirmed during the commissioners’ meeting on April 10 that the Georgia Constitution does not allow counties to provide animal control services without a contract. The county provided those services from January until April 5 at 5 p.m.
County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said he and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens have had several discussions about an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would be a contract between the two governments.
The city called the county’s vote to end services a political move. Also on Wednesday, county commissioners said a claim that the county owed $5.7 million in unpaid water bills was also political.
But when Dickens promised to provide a letter of intent to enter an IGA, Pitts said he held off on that action until the county attorney said the letter was not a binding document.
“Fulton County remains open to continuation of services when a signed agreement intergovernmental agreement is provided,” a county spokesperson said in a statement on April 11.
The county calculated Atlanta’s charge for animal control services at $6 million based on the city generating 55 percent of all calls.
Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. made a motion to restore animal control services for the city of Atlanta effective immediately.
“My understanding is we have a signed letter of intent that will be presented to the city of Atlanta at their next council meeting,” he said.
Arrington said he…
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