Animals Caught in the Middle of City-County Debate

Phenix City wants to buy Russell County’s share of the new animal shelter that’s been open just a week.

In a letter to Russell County Attorney Kenneth Funderburk, City Attorney James Graham, Jr., made a buy-sell offer of $298,000, citing several alleged breaches of agreement, including the following: “Most recently, the County authorized a $50,000.00 expenditure without consulting the City and has sent the City a reuqest that it pay one-half of this expenditure.“

The $50,000 in question, according to Russell County Commissioner Gentry Lee, was a gift from the County to the Animal Shelter Authority for some additional start-up costs. Contrary to Graham’s account, Lee said that the County did not bill the City for half of this gift.

The communication breakdown could have began when Lee misspoke at an October 14 meeting. At a commission work session Monday evening, Lee said the former meeting had lasted a long time and that he mistakenly said “bill” the city, when he meant to say “inform” the city of the county’s independent $50,000 gift.

Neither attorney, nor the Phenix City Manager returned calls to comment on this issue.

Ray Smith, Phenix City Chief of Police, said Monday that the old Phenix City animal shelter has been operating for years and continues to do so. But the original agreement between Phenix City and Russell County made June 19, 2007, set forth that only one animal shelter should be in operation: “The City Council of Phenix City and the Russell County Commissioners have determined that it is economically feasible and would produce substantial saving to operate one animal shelter.“

There is no buy-sell clause in the 2007 agreement or in its August 2009 addendum.

According to Dr. William B. Smith, board chair of the animal shelter authority, the difference between the old shelter and the new one that he oversees comes down to the care the animals receive. He said that there is no veterinarian on staff at the old facility and that no medical attention is given to the animals, besides euthanization done by a certified technician.

“The city has been operating what would be considered a dog pound for years, and the county commission wants us to have a shelter, and we were created as a shelter authority,“ Smith said, “The difference is we have a veterinary staff here, and we can do so many things for the animals that we couldn’t do before.“

Meanwhile, the animals are caught in the middle of this political dispute. They need newspapers, blankets, towels and food. Donations can be made at the shelter, located behind Russell County Jail. For more information on how to help, call 334-297-2632.