The Patrick County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved setting a public hearing on a proposed change to the local dog tag ordinance.
Under the proposed change, the county would do away with the current one, two and three year dog licenses, and replace them with a lifetime dog tag.
Included in the motion on the public hearing, supervisors also approved setting the cost at $20 for the tag that would last the lifetime of the dog, providing the rabies vaccine is current.
If a dog’s rabies vaccine is allowed to lapse, Patrick County Treasurer Sandra Stone said the tag would become null and void. There also would be no refunds in the event of the dog’s death, she said.
A new tag would be needed if ownership of the dog changed, Stone said.
Amending the current ordinance will “cut down on the amount if billing we have to do,” not pose an undue burden on taxpayers and not reduce revenue coming into the county from the sale of dog tags.
Stone said current sales are revenue neutral or generate little revenue at best, due to the notices her office is required to send, postage and the cost of the actual tags.
For instance, in 2016, Stone said the 1,370 tags sold brought in $7,981. However, that amount did not include any of the expenses incurred by the county.
“I do think it’s a win/win for my office, the county and the dog owner,” Stone said of the proposed change.
County Attorney Alan Black said the new law allows the county to charge up to $50 for each lifetime tag.
Tags currently available are cost $3 for spayed/neutered dogs or $10 for those dogs that are not spayed or neutered, she said, and explained state legislators approved a new law that provides for localities to sell lifetime dog tags.
State law also requires veterinarians to forward information about rabies shots administered to the county, Stone said.
That requirement will not change, she said.
If the amendment is approved, Stone said her office will continue to keep duplicate tags, in case a tag becomes lost. Kennel tags also will remain available, she said.
“This sounds like a no-brainer,” said Karl Weiss, of the Blue Ridge District.
Lock Boyce, of the Mayo River District, said the practice of dog tagging was leftover relic from post World War II. The proposed change, he said, “would be a great idea. … Any way we can make this more streamlined and efficient” is a good idea.
Supervisors unanimously approved setting the public hearing for 6:15 p.m., on Aug. 28, following a motion by Boyce. The actual meeting begins at 6 p.m.
In other matters Monday, supervisors:
*Voted to increase the Household Income Limit, from $22,000 to $24,000, in the Tax Relief for the Elderly and Handicapped program.
Janet Rorrer, Commissioner of the Revenue, said the program provides up to $300 to qualifying taxpayers. But, she noted some were nearing the current $22,000 income limit to qualify.
*Approved setting a Sept. 11 public hearing on proposed revisions/additions to the current Stormwater Management Fee Schedule. Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater management Administrator Mark Vernon will explain the proposed revisions in advance of the 6:30 p.m. start of the public hearing.
*Adopted a proclamation to recognize the Epperson family. Roger Hayden, of the Dan River District, read the proclamation that said, in part, Aug. 6 marked the 94th anniversary of the Epperson Family Reunion, and the 200th anniversary of The Epperson Homestead in the Ararat community.
*Following closed session, the board appointed Richard Cole to serve as an at-large representative on the Economic Development Authority (EDA). Cole’s four-year term is set to commence with the Aug. 14 EDA meeting.
