City Votes Against Animal Control Services

The Quinlan City Council unanimously voted against an offer from the North Texas Animal Control (NTAC) to provide animal control services in Quinlan.

Council members and mayor Sharon Royal cited ambiguity in the NTAC’s proposal in terms of fees charged to the city, and maintained that the ultimate benefits of animal control would not outweigh the overall cost of the service.

In other business the council:

-passed Resolution No. 3055 that allows the police department to increase their number of police officers by one full-time employee, bringing the total "to the chief of police and three full-time patrolmen."

Noting the extensive period of time that it takes to hire a qualified police officer, city consultant Billy Green, recommended that the department begin the search process immediately.

-amended Ordinance No. 8020-000, stipulating that a stop intersection be established and stop signs erected on Northbound Greenway Drive at Elm Street.

-amended Ordinance No. 08-210-002 provides that owners of pool halls and game rooms "operating for profit amusement redemption machines" will pay a permit fee of $1,000 for each machine on January 1. Previously, the fee consisted of a $1,000 fee paid out with $250 each quarter.

-heard from volunteer fire department chief Steve Bowen who expressed his concern over the lack of funds for the department. In particular, he noted that they only have two functioning vehicles.

Bowen seeks to improve the image of the Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department in order to obtain the funds needed to increase the quality of the department.

"We’ve exhausted our means of finding money," Bowen said.

Bowen said he hopes to strengthen the fire departments relationship with the city council, and to continually work to obtain grants for emergency repair.