MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown City Council covered a lot of ground in the Tuesday committee of the whole meeting.
Councilors literally discussed what kind of territory and situations county animal control officers handle within city limits through a contract for the use of Monongalia County resources.
Interim City Manager Glen Kelly summarized the information shared by Monongalia County Canine Adoption Center manager Dana Johnson and Monongalia County Administrator Renetta McClure.
“If you do want to repeal that tax, we’ll still be under contract. The citizens will still receive those services. We’ll just take in $5,000 less from the dog tax,” explained Kelly.
Councilwoman Nancy Ganz initially requested information about the contract and services. Morgantown residents pay two dog taxes. One is a $3 city fee. The other is a $3 fee to the county to register a dog.
Double taxation was her concern. “Because I was not aware there were extra services provided to the city, I wanted an outline of those. It’s been well explained. As for the extra $3.00 it’s been very well explained.”
Deputy Mayor Bill Kawecki, who leads committee of the whole sessions, further explained.
“Our tax payers are paying $41,000 for the services of the shelter, removing dead animals and what have you. So, everybody takes their hit. But, there are some who get a little more service.”
Referred to as some as the double dog tax, the topic consumed time in at least 3 council meetings not including the time staff members gathered information for presentation to council.
Council would have to take up the issue of repealing a city tax at a regular council meeting.
“What’s the pleasure of council,” asked Kawecki
“Mr. Chairman, just for a number of reasons I would be in favor of moving it to the agenda to repeal the dog tax,” councilman Wes Nugent replied.
Councilman Jay Redmond agreed. “I do think there are ancillary benefits to all the citizens from the service that’s provided. I would say for small amount of money that we’re getting, it would be nice to remove a tax burden from the heads of our citizens.”
Ganz and a majority of council seemed to lean toward keeping the city fee active. “What I’ve heard today is about the additional services. So, although I wanted to know about it, I will probably vote against repealing the extra $3 that I am paying as dog owner.”
Until Tuesday night, it appeared action might be taken to try to repeal the $3.00 city tax on dog owners. There was not enough interest to move a formal repeal on for a vote in a regular council meeting.